BREAKING: Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess is demanding urgent state support as he pushes for the city to acquire the unused 53-acre site of the former Daniel Webster College. In a tense appeal to the New Hampshire Senate Finance Committee, Donchess sought $20 million to facilitate the purchase, highlighting the property’s proximity to critical infrastructure such as BAE Systems and Hanscom Air Force Base.
The stakes are high: the site has been owned by Chinese investors since a bankruptcy auction in 2017 for nearly $12 million and has remained largely undeveloped for almost nine years. Local officials express concern over national security implications, as the property sits just yards from Boire Field, Nashua’s airport, and near the city’s Pennichuck water supply.
Donchess, accompanied by state Senator Cindy Rosenwald, made a passionate case to lawmakers, stating, “There’s a less than 1% vacancy rate for apartments here, and the value of single-family homes has skyrocketed.” The mayor proposes transforming the site into housing to alleviate the city’s housing crisis.
However, Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader Regina Birdsell, dismissed the request, asserting that Nashua should not expect the state to subsidize the acquisition of property that had previously been sold to foreign entities. Birdsell’s comments incited a fiery response from Donchess, who criticized her stance, saying, “Does a state senator who represents New Hampshire really think that Nashua City Hall could block a sale in the private market?”
Nashua Alderman Michael O’Brien Sr. echoed the mayor’s frustrations, advocating for a more equitable distribution of state resources. “Every single Keno ticket sold in Nashua contributes to state revenues, yet we see little in return,” O’Brien stated, emphasizing Nashua’s role as a key revenue generator for the state.
As tensions mount between local officials and state lawmakers, the future of the Daniel Webster property remains uncertain. Nashua residents are urged to pay attention to upcoming state elections, with many feeling that their needs are overlooked by Concord’s leadership.
The city’s leadership continues to advocate for a solution that addresses both housing shortages and national security concerns. As the situation develops, Nashua residents are left anxious about the implications of this ongoing dispute and the fate of a significant piece of land in their community.
Stay tuned for updates on this critical issue as Nashua fights for its interests against the backdrop of state politics.
