Special Board of Aldermen Public Hearing on Mulberry Street Resource Center Bond – April 16, 2026

The Nashua Board of Aldermen held a special meeting on April 16, 2026 (starting at 7:00 PM on April 15, 2026), to conduct a public hearing on Resolution R26020, which authorizes a bond of up to $900,000 to fund the purchase, design, and renovation of 14 Mulberry Street for a permanent resource center and transitional housing for unhoused residents. The meeting included roll call attendance, an announcement regarding a vacant Ward 1 alderman seat, presentations from city staff, and public testimony. No vote was taken on the resolution; the hearing concluded at 8:01 PM, followed by a joint PEDC budget meeting.

Announcements

• Alderman President Wilshire announced the resignation of a Ward 1 alderman and that letters of interest for the seat would be accepted through the end of April.

Public Hearing on R26020

Presentations by City Staff

• Bobby Bagley, Director of the Division of Public Health and Community Services, explained that the resource center would provide housing navigation, emergency shelter referrals, substance use and mental health treatment referrals, help with obtaining vital documents and benefits, showers, laundry, computer access, and warming/cooling stations. Transitional housing units would also be included.
• Latonia Mussioli, Housing Services Officer, noted that a pilot tenant-based rental assistance program (using HUD HOME-ARP funds) would complement the center.
• Tim Cummings, Director of Administrative Services, provided details: total project cost is estimated between $4 and $4.5 million, funded by the city initially. The current proposals are for acquisition and pre-construction ($900,000 bond), with a future bond for construction. An architect (Icon Architecture) has been identified but not yet contracted. Design would run through summer 2026, construction starting fall 2026 at the earliest, with completion projected for summer/fall 2027. He clarified that the Elm Street Middle School warming station would continue to be used for the foreseeable future.

Alderman Questions and Discussion

• Alderman Gregg asked about the timeline for a temporary warming station component; Cummings stated Elm Street would remain in use.
• Alderman Johnson questioned the procurement process for the architect, noting the city's ordinance may require an RFP. Cummings said professional services can be procured without a bid, and they had issued an earlier RFP for architectural services. He offered to pursue a separate RFP if desired.
• Alderman Johnson also questioned the building's capacity for transitional housing and warming station. Cummings could not provide specific numbers until design is done but stated the building (roughly 3,500 square feet) is expected to meet programmatic needs.
• Alderman Sennett asked about using the $300,000 expendable trust fund (established last year) to offset costs. Cummings confirmed it could be used for pre-construction or construction to reduce bond amounts.
• Alderman Sennett also noted that the $10,000 earnest money deposit came from a budget, not the trust fund.
• Alderman Morgan inquired about ADA compliance and who would operate transitional housing. Cummings said the building must be 100% ADA compliant, potentially requiring an elevator. Mussioli stated that a third party would likely operate the transitional housing.
• Alderman Clee asked about the temporary trailer proposal (a previous option) vs. the permanent solution. Cummings explained the trailers were a temporary, less expensive option (1.5–2 million) with no transitional housing, while 14 Mulberry Street is a permanent solution for about 4–4.5 million. He cautioned that $1.2 million in alternative funding may not be available for this project.

Public Testimony In Favor:

• Eric (9 Johnson St., member of Granite State Organizing Project) supported the center as a central resource for documentation and substance abuse services.
• Tori Markowitz (759 Grove St., Manchester, Granite State Organizer) supported the center but urged that it not be the last action on homelessness; an emergency low-barrier shelter is still needed.
• Gail Wisington (65A Amherst Rd., Merrimack) supported the center but stressed the need for a shelter due to limited effectiveness without a place to stay.
• Sam Howarth Vargas (Knowell St., Nashua) supported the center as a good start but acknowledged more housing is needed.
• Audrey Holston (Five Shore Dr., Nashua) echoed support and noted the center is not a complete solution.
• Mark Siler (168 Harris Rd., Nashua) supported the center but asked what will happen to people when the warming station closes and called for long-term housing solutions.
• Kenneth (user of the Chestnut Street warming station) expressed support, noting his own pending housing situation and appreciation for staff, but said more long-term help is needed.
• Brooke Pearley (wife owns business at Three Bud Way, Nashua) supported the center as an imperfect but necessary step that could open additional grant opportunities.
• Lou Jarrus (56 Hain St., Nashua) advocated adding more overnight units during design to address capacity.
• Tony Isley (Maynard Homes resident) supported the center, noted the need for permanent supportive housing and low-barrier overnight shelter, and hoped displaced tenants would get better housing.

In Opposition:

• Bob Keating (5 Coburn Woods Dr.) expressed concern about return on investment given the small size (under 3,000 sq. ft., 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms) and $4.5 million cost; suggested using the money for more housing units elsewhere (e.g., $360,000 for year-round warming station) or a temporary solution using portable classrooms.
• Annabelle Bonner (2 New Haven Dr., Apt. 203, founder of Bellows Home for Hope) supported the center but was concerned about the gap after the warming station closes; urged a guaranteed plan for current users.
• Laurie Ordolano (address not given) supported a resource center but opposed this specific proposal due to poor ROI: the 160-year-old building (1,475 sq. ft. per floor) has high maintenance and ADA costs, and suggested using a single-floor commercial property or the temporary trailer option (1.5 million) to buy time. She asked about data from other resource centers and noted downtown concentration. She cited past city building purchases (e.g., Burke Street) that were sold at a loss.

Other Testimony (no final call for additional in favor/opposition was made after Ordolano; the hearing was closed.)

Key Outcomes

• The public hearing on Resolution R26020 was closed at 8:01 PM. No vote was taken on the resolution.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM via roll call vote (11-0 in favor) to allow a five-minute break before the joint PEDC budget meeting.
• No decisions were made on the bond, purchase, or project scope; further discussion and a vote are expected at a future meeting.