KEENE, N.H. – (MyKeeneNow) The Keene Downtown Infrastructure Improvement and Reconstruction project is moving toward a critical final vote by the full city council.

At last night’s Municipal Services, Facilities, and Infrastructure (MSFI) Committee meeting, which was open to public comment, the preliminary design was presented by Stantec, the project consultant. MSFI chair Mitch Greenwald praised the design, describing it as a “marriage of change and common sense,” and emphasizing it as a compromise solution.

City officials and engineers conducted three public sessions at the Keene Public Library Tuesday to discuss the timeline and effects of the forthcoming project.

The meetings, held at different times throughout the day, provided an opportunity for downtown residents and businesses to inquire about the construction’s impact on them and learn about the city’s strategies to mitigate disruptions.

The project aims to replace underground water, sewer, and stormwater utilities, some of which date back to the late 1800s.

While the necessity of these replacements is widely agreed upon, discussions have centered on potential changes to the city’s layout.

Key design elements recommended for approval include an updated traffic signal pattern at the square, a 22-foot-wide single lane across the top of the square, and retaining the U-turn on Main Street for southbound traffic.

The project is set to be reviewed at the next council meeting on July 18, where a final vote will take place. If approved, work on refining the final design is expected to commence in early September and continue through the fall and winter, aiming for the project to be ready for bidding in Spring 2025.

The work will be spread across three phases, beginning with Central Square. Construction will then work its way south to Gilbo Avenue and Railroad Square for the second phase, before finishing with the stretch of Main Street between Gilbo Avenue and Water Street. Future project phases will focus on how downtown businesses will operate during construction.

Public Works Director Don Lussier noted that while the project did not secure the $13.7 million in federal grant funding, the city manager is exploring alternative funding options. The total cost of the project remains uncertain.

More details about the design can be found on the project’s website.