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KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Construction on the long-awaited Downtown Infrastructure Project will begin July 6, city officials announced Wednesday during the first “Coffee and Hard Hats” meeting at the Transportation Center on Gilbo Avenue. The new monthly forum was designed to keep downtown businesses and residents informed as work gets underway.
The informal gathering drew several downtown business owners and members of the public eager to learn more about the $26.06 million project, which is expected to transform Central Square and portions of Main Street over the next three years.
The Keene City Council in early May approved a contract with Vermont-based Casella Construction to carry out the work, which includes replacing aging water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure beneath downtown streets while rebuilding sidewalks, streetscapes and public gathering areas.
Public Works Director Don Lussier said the first visible work will begin shortly after the Fourth of July holiday when Liberty Utilities starts replacing gas lines along the west side of Central Square.
Liberty Utilities is expected to complete its work before Casella Construction begins replacing water infrastructure and launching the broader downtown reconstruction effort. Lussier said the first phase of construction, focused primarily on Central Square, is expected to continue through Thanksgiving.
The project team also used the meeting to introduce key personnel who will serve as points of contact throughout construction.
Tim Lemire of Greenman-Pedersen Inc. (GPI), the engineering firm overseeing construction management and inspections, said his team will be responsible for day-to-day oversight of the project, including contractor coordination, inspections and communication with property owners.
George Downing, who will serve as the project’s ombudsman and communications liaison, said he has already begun meeting with business owners throughout the construction zone. His role will include providing updates on construction activity, helping resolve concerns and serving as the first point of contact for businesses affected by the work.
City officials repeatedly encouraged businesses and residents to sign up for the project’s email distribution list, which will provide regular updates on construction schedules, traffic pattern changes, parking impacts and utility work.
“We’re going to communicate as much as we possibly can,” Lussier said, noting that updates will become more detailed as construction schedules are finalized.
Officials said the project will be completed in three major phases, with the first phase centered on Central Square this year. Traffic signals throughout the project area will be replaced, and temporary traffic control measures will be used during construction.
While work is expected to occur primarily between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays, some overnight utility work may be necessary to minimize impacts to businesses, particularly when water service connections are transferred to newly installed water mains.
Business owners raised concerns about deliveries, parking and customer access during construction. Project officials acknowledged those challenges and said they will work individually with affected businesses to develop solutions as specific construction impacts become known.
The city also unveiled project information binders that will be distributed to businesses within the construction zone. The binders will be updated throughout the project with schedules, maps and other information that business owners can share with employees and customers.
Officials announced that the next Coffee and Hard Hats meeting will be held July 8 at 9 a.m., one hour earlier than this month’s session after several attendees noted that a 10 a.m. start conflicted with business opening times.
The monthly meetings will continue throughout construction and are intended to provide a more informal setting for questions and discussion than the City Council’s Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee meetings.
Construction is expected to continue through 2028, with city officials emphasizing that communication with downtown businesses and the public will remain a major focus as work progresses.