NASHUA – The $15.5 million performing arts center will become a reality, as the Board of Aldermen voted 14-1 Tuesday night in favor of the plan.

“I think the underlying purpose here is to improve our economy, strengthen our downtown and improve the quality of life for all Nashuans,” Mayor Jim Donchess said.

The proposal will put a 500-700 seat theater at 201 Main St., the former home to Alec’s Shoes.

The center will have a theater, meeting space and retail space the city can lease to businesses. It also is expected to have an art gallery space through a partnership with Manchester’s Currier Museum.

Nashua’s Economic Development Director Tim Cummings has said that conservative estimates indicate Nashua will generate around $1 million in economic activity for the downtown once the performing arts center is up and running. The center also is seen as a way to increase property values downtown and at the same time attract people to the city.

While the plan has been popular with downtown merchants, some residents have expressed concerns about the cost and city priorities.

Tyler Gouveia, a 19-year-old college student, said the city needs to focus on real priorities before it spends $15.5 million on the art center. Roads need repairs, and city schools need tens of millions in repairs, he said.

“It seems at this time we should be looking for ways to invest our taxpayers’ money in both public education and safety versus a nice-to-have and not need-to-have performing arts center,” Gouveia said.

Donchess said the proposal shows a confidence in the city’s future. The expanded downtown economy will help everyone in the city, and it will bring in more tax revenue to help pay for infrastructure, police and fire services, he said.

“A community of an active downtown is doing well. A downtown with all the vacant stores is seen as having given up,” Donchess said.

The board voted in favor of the same performing arts center plan in September, but the proposal failed to get the necessary supermajority. A November, non-binding ballot question won a majority at the polls.

The one holdout vote Tuesday night was Ward 5 Alderman Ernie Jette. Jette said that while he supports the performing arts center, he promised to vote with his ward.

With Ward 5 voting against the proposal in November, Jette said he had to keep his word to his voters.

Damien Fisher can be reached at 594-1245 or dfisher@nashuatelegraph.com or

@Telegraph_DF