The property at 14 Mulberry St., which the city is looking to purchase and build a resource center to serve Nashua's homeless population. Courtesy photo/Coldwell Banker

NASHUA – After nearly 40 minutes of public comment, the Board of Aldermen, during its April 22 meeting, voted 12-1 to table the Resolution to authorize the purchase of 14 Mulberry St.

If approved, the site would be used to construct a resource center for homeless individuals. Although the selling price is listed at $730,000, the Resolution would allow the city to make an offer of up to $900,000.

Prior to the vote, resident Brooke Pearly said that in the current housing market, it is not uncommon for a buyer to make an offer that is above the asking price.

“We can’t let perfection be the enemy of making progress,” she said. “This location is perfect; it’s right by the Department of Public Health. I think that makes perfect sense.”

Kristy Ayi of Cosworth Circle also spoke in favor of having a resource center.

“I believe that having a centralized location that is safe and secure makes sense in the long term,” she said, adding that no one should be reduced to living on the street. “Getting them the resources that they need to have a home is the respect that they deserve.”

Karen Bill of Parnell Place said while she appreciates the idea of a resource center; 14 Mulberry St. is the “wrong location.”

“There has to be other avenues in Nashua that we can look into,” she said, adding that the former Elm Street Middle School might be a better alternative.

Bill also raised concerns about paying $170,000 more than the asking price and said that a building inspection was never completed.

“To rush into this purchase, I think it’s reckless,” she said. “The means by which it is being done are crazy.”

Judith McDonald of Danforth Road also mentioned the Elm Street Middle School site as a possible location as it is already being used as a warming center.

“I am not in favor of 14 Mulberry St.,” she said.

McDonald also said the current building is 158 years old. Therefore, bringing it up to code would catapult the cost into the millions.

Beth Scaer of East Hobart Street said residents are burdened with municipal expenses that are already too high.

“The mayor’s proposed budget is up six percent over last year, our sky high property taxes are driving people out of their homes and driving up rents,” she said.

Laurie Ortolano of Berkeley Street said that in addition to there being no inspection, the abutters were never notified about the project.

She also said this looks eerily like another project that spanned from 2015 to 2023 and topped out at $25 million.

“This is starting to ring to me like the Performing Arts Center,” said Ortolano. “We’re going down that road again and I don’t want to see that.”