Mayor James Donchess delivers his annual State of the City address before the Board of Aldermen on Feb. 17. Courtesy photo/Nashua Community Television

NASHUA – During his annual State of the City address on Feb. 17, Mayor James Donchess described how the Gate City has prospered since the first mills opened on the banks of the Nashua River.

“Over the years, innovation has been a key to Nashua’s success,” he said, adding that the “culture of innovation” began in the Nashua Millyard.

From 1822 to 1825, the Nashua Manufacturing Company built the three-mile Nashua Power Canal and attracted new residents from a number of foreign countries.

“Immigrants came to Nashua to work in the mills and realize the American Dream,” said Donchess.

In 1945, the mills were acquired by Textron and thousands of employees were terminated during the next five years. Donchess said former Gov. Hugh Gregg responded with the creation of the Nashua Foundation during the 1950s and purchased the mills as well as Mine Falls Park.

The acquisition attracted companies including Sanders Associates, Sprague Electric and Edgecomb Steel, all of whom set up shop in the abandoned mills.

However, Donchess said that by the 1980s, companies began moving out as the mills were no longer efficient.

“Mills One through Seven were deteriorating and were used only for dead storage,” he said. “Nashua needed to innovate again.”

In 1988, Nashua scored a major victory with $23 million in federal funds to convert seven mills into Clocktower Place. Donchess said this allowed for 350 housing units with 100 of them being affordable housing.

He also recognized the recent completion of Renaissance Park along the Nashua River.

“For a very long time the river was hidden, it was polluted,” said Donchess.

Fortunately, environmental legislation was ultimately passed and the river was cleaned up.

“Now, we are showcasing the Nashua River,” he said.

Donchess said the city is also looking to extend the riverfront improvements to Mine Falls Park using revenue from housing at the former Nimco and W.H. Bagshaw sites.

Although housing is still a “major challenge,” Donchess said it is something he is working on every day.

He said progress has been made with the opening of Lofts 34, Taylor Pointe, Riverfront Landing as well as apartments on Marshall and High streets.

In addition, 500 units are planned for the former Mohawk Tannery site with 20 percent of them being affordable.

He also said delays continue to be a frustration.

“Seven years ago, we permitted the former Corriveau-Routhier site for the start of a new neighborhood and 230 units of housing,” he said. “The owner continues to hold the property for speculation.”

Looking ahead, Donchess said the former Elm Street Middle School should be converted into housing. He said the city currently pays $300,000 per year just to keep the building open.

“The overwhelming opinion of Nashuans is that medium-density housing is best for that site,” he said, adding that up to 80 percent of housing would be affordable.

Donchess also lauded the work of Nashua’s first responders, calling to mind three major incidents.

“Back on Sept. 20 of last year, a man with a gun entered the Sky Meadow Country Club,” said Donchess. “He shot three people before being tackled. Tragically, he murdered Robert DeCesare and he injured Steve Burtman and Brianna Surette.”

Yet, Nashua Police captured the suspected shooter, Hunter Nadeau, within 30 minutes while assisting with the evacuation of 200 patrons.

“Our safety departments worked so well that night because they had trained for a potential active shooter incident,” said Donchess. “I take great pride in this overall stellar response.”

Another major test came on Dec. 2, 2025 when a six-alarm fire broke out on Vine Street.

“It took hours for firefighters to subdue the flames, fire departments from the entire region responded,” he said, adding that 35 residents were evacuated. “The professionalism of our safety personnel paid off.”

On Feb. 2 of this year, a leaking gas line at the Greater Nashua Mental Health Center on Amherst Street exploded, causing a four-alarm blaze and injuring three firefighters. However, 60 people were evacuated and there were no fatalities.