UPDATE: Nashua city officials are urgently calling for state support in acquiring the long-dormant Daniel Webster College property, a critical site that poses security concerns due to its proximity to military installations. Mayor Jim Donchess made an impassioned plea today for $20 million from the state to purchase the 53-acre campus, which has been virtually unused since it was acquired by foreign investors in 2017 for nearly $12 million.
The former college site, located just a stone’s throw from Boire Field, the city’s airport, and near Nashua’s water supply, has sparked discomfort among residents and officials alike. Concerns are heightened given its closeness to major defense contractors like BAE Systems, 15 miles from New Boston Space Force Station, and 25 miles from Hanscom Air Force Base.
“We need to act now,” Donchess emphasized during his testimony before the Senate Finance Committee alongside state Senator Cindy Rosenwald, D-Nashua. The mayor highlighted the city’s less than 1% vacancy rate for apartments and skyrocketing home values, pressing for the state to facilitate housing development on the property.
However, Senate Republicans are not convinced. Senate Majority Leader Regina Birdsell, R-Derry, criticized the city’s previous decisions, stating, “I don’t think the state should be asking the rest of New Hampshire residents to pay for this.” Birdsell’s remarks reflect a growing tension between Nashua and state lawmakers, with accusations flying over who is responsible for the current predicament.
In a fiery response, Donchess rebuked Birdsell for her comments, questioning her understanding of local governance. “Does a state senator who represents New Hampshire really think that Nashua City Hall could block a sale in the private market? The idea that Nashua City Hall lets foreign adversaries buy up its land? Is she that ignorant?” Donchess asserted, showcasing the heightened emotions surrounding the issue.
Support for the mayor came from Nashua Alderman Michael O’Brien Sr., who echoed the sentiment that Nashua deserves better from the state. O’Brien, who has substantial political experience, lamented, “It’s shameful for the way that they treat us (Nashua). We plow state roads but don’t see state plows on Route 130 in Nashua.”
As Nashua seeks to reclaim control over the property and alleviate housing pressures, the political stakes are high. The implications for the city’s future economic health hang in the balance.
Residents and officials alike are encouraged to pay close attention as state elections approach, signaling a potential shift in how Nashua is represented at the state level. The outcome of this ongoing dispute could fundamentally reshape the city’s landscape and influence its economic trajectory.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on Concord and whether state lawmakers will respond to Nashua’s urgent needs. Will the Granite State step up to support its largest revenue generator? Only time will tell.
