Jaffrey residents weighed in on what they want their downtown to be, after a major roadwork project set to start next year, during the first half of a community conversation on Tuesday night.
More than 30 people joined the conversation, facilitated by NH Listens, by breaking into groups and prioritizing concepts they’d like to see downtown, identifying the things they liked in the existing downtown and what they would change.
The conversation, a continuing one, is being spurred by a major state roadway project which includes a roundabout in the center of downtown on Main Street, at the intersection of Main Street, Route 202, Blake Street, Stratton Road and Route 124. A three-way roundabout is also planned for River Street and Route 202, which will connect to the Main Street roundabout by a bridge spanning the Contoocook River, creating a bypass for Route 202 traffic.
Two ideals that all individual groups identified as being important was that the downtown be “friendly and accessible” to all people, including schoolchildren, the elderly and disabled, and that it be a social and cultural hub where people worked, lived and had opportunities for entertainment.
Charles Parry, a participant in the workshop, said to reach that goal, there has to be some intentional strategy on behalf of the town to attract it.
“How can we make a transition that allows early movers to thrive?” said Parry, noting that a few thriving businesses would create a chain effect.
The Park Theatre, recently rebuilt and reopened and hosting films and live events, was pointed to as one of those potential anchor points.
Bill Schofield of Jaffrey noted there also had to be opportunities available for entrepreneurs to take advantage of, noting a dearth of downtown properties.
“The theater is certainly a start, but where we go from there? I don’t know,” Schofield said.
Participant Dax Bayard-Murray said the town should capitalize on some of its existing natural assets, noting that with an annual celebration called “Riverfest” there was clearly an intent to draw eyes to the riverfront, but not much actual opportunity downtown to enjoy the river views. He noted he hadn’t discovered the Monadnock Rail Trail, located adjacent to downtown, until he had lived in Jaffrey for a decade.
“We’re not using what we have,” Bayard-Murray said. “We have a diamond in the rough, but we need to buff it, so we can see it.”
The need for downtown restaurants or gathering spaces was also a highlight, particularly as the roundabout intends to include the demolition of the former Lab ‘n Lager pub, one of downtown’s only eateries, which closed due to lack of staffing that owner Doni Ash attributed to the pending roundabout and the insecurity it created around the business. Particularly highlighted was the want for a cafe, but residents also suggested other places to get fresh, healthy food, such as a grocer.
Marc Tieger, who owns a realty business in the downtown, noted that the nearby competition of Shaws, Market Basket and Hannaford, which, while farther away, could provide greater selection and lower prices, would be a major disincentive to a small green grocer in the downtown.
The second workshop in the series is scheduled for Nov. 10, at the Jaffrey Fire Station, with a meet-and-greet at 5 p.m., followed by the workshop from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. A light meal will be provided. The second workshop will start with a summary of what was shared in the first meeting. Participants are encouraged to share stories, pictures and videos of the downtown of features they would like to keep, or from other downtowns they would like to integrate.
Pictures and videos can be shared to a QR code that will be available on the town’s website and Facebook page. Residents do not have to have attended the first meeting to attend the second. Registration for the workshop can be found at townofjaffrey.com/planning-economic-development/events/31406, or by calling Jo Anne Carr at the Jaffrey Town Offices at 603-532-7445.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.