KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – The Keene City Council has approved a location and design for a planned solar pavilion on Gilbo Avenue and amended plans for the upcoming Pumpkin Festival as downtown construction continues.

Councilors voted Thursday to select the location considered for the Gilbo Avenue solar pavilion, placing the structure in the parking lot behind Margaritas. They also approved a flat-monoslope roof design for the project.

The council had considered five potential locations, including along Gilbo Avenue and in the parking lot behind Margaritas. The discussion, centered around those two options, included concerns about solar production, public safety, parking, future housing opportunities, construction timing and how the project could contribute to activating Gilbo Avenue.

Councilors ultimately selected the second location in the parking lot. Amendments that would have selected the first location or sent the matter back to committee were rejected.

The pavilion is part of the city’s broader plans for solar energy and public spaces. The city manager also provided an update Thursday on the airport solar project, including progress on approvals.

The council also took action related to the Keene Pumpkin Festival, scheduled for October 17. With downtown construction continuing and affecting Central Square, councilors approved an amendment to the festival’s license allowing for more flexibility in how Central Square is used.

City staff will work with Let It Shine, the organization behind the Pumpkin Festival, to adjust the event’s footprint, road closures and areas of use as construction conditions change. The adjustments are expected to remain within the approved scope of the event while maintaining public safety.

The changes come as the city’s downtown infrastructure project continues to affect portions of Central Square and surrounding streets.

The city has also committed to providing additional project updates to help keep downtown merchants and the public informed about the accelerated construction schedule. At the Municipal Services, Facilities, and Infrastructure Committee meeting last week Casella Construction, the company working on the Downtown Project, said they plan to do some utility work down by Water Street during this first phase of the project. Construction was originally only meant to include Central Square in the first phase, but Casella said adding that work makes sense for several reasons. The city will release more information on that in the coming weeks.

In other business Thursday, the council approved several public safety and infrastructure measures. Those included accepting a $198,181.91 federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant, which requires a $19,819.19 local match. The funding will be used for powered ambulance cots, cot-loading systems and powered stair chairs for frontline ambulances.

The council also approved a $10,500 Highway Safety grant and advanced follow-up work on traffic safety issues on School Street and at the South Lincoln Street and Roxbury Street intersection.

Councilors unanimously defeated a proposed Roxbury Street stop-sign ordinance in a 15-0 vote and adopted a resolution concerning Thompson Road.

The meeting also included a public hearing on a proposed rezoning of 0 Howard Street from medium-density residential to conservation. Written comments on the proposal are being accepted ahead of its review by the Planning, Licenses and Development Committee. No public comment will be accepted at that meeting.

The council also adopted proclamations recognizing October as Manufacturing Month and Healthy Starts Family Resource Center, as well as Fire Prevention Week, including a focus on safe lithium-ion battery charging.