NASHUA – City leaders continue piecing together funds to cover the projected $3.5 million bill that comes with planned renovations at the Division of Public Health and Community Services building at 18 Mulberry St.

A Wednesday public hearing in the Nashua City Hall Auditorium allowed residents an opportunity to voice their thoughts on Resolution 20-012, which would authorize the sale of $1.1 million in bonds for the project.

If Board of Aldermen members pass this resolution when it comes before them, the total amount available for this renovation work will be slightly more than $3.6 million. The project is expected to cost $3.5 million, while officials want to put the extra $100,000 into a contingency fund for later use.

Nashua Director of Economic Development Tim Cummings said planned improvements call for replacing the roof, doors, windows, floors and mechanical equipment. The project will also add an elevator into the building to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

“The roof really needs to be done; the elevator definitely needs to be put in; the windows and the HVAC will make the building more energy efficient, and those are the overall major things that we need to have done in the building, and this $1.1 (million) will help us do that correctly,” Division Director Bobbie Bagley said on Wednesday.

During the course of construction, there will be a need for temporary relocation because officials expect the work to continue for about a year.

“We’ve completed the concept design, schematic design and design development,” Cummings said. “We’re hoping to complete construction documents in the next few weeks.”

In July 2009, Resolution 08-063 was approved for the amount of just more than $1.2 million, which was part of a larger bond resolution. Later, in November 2018, Resolution 18-078 was approved for the amount of $1.3 million.

“It’s my goal to try to get this project underway for May of 2020,” Cummings said. “The Board of Health has recommended this legislation before you.”

Officials said these improvements to the division building should have a useful life of 25 years. The bond is anticipated to be sold in fiscal year 2021-22 for a 20-year term. Officials estimate the interest rate will be approximately 3.5%, while the total cost of the bond, they said, should be just over $1.5 million.

Adam Urquhart may be contacted at 594-1206, or at aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.

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