HUD Finds Amherst Library Review Violated Regulations but Lets Earmark Stand
Photo: https://www.joneslibrary.org/
The U.S, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has determined that the Town of Amherst violated federal procedures in its environmental review of the Jones Library renovation-expansion. The procedures are laid down in 24 CFR Part 58 and include the Section 106 review mandated for historic properties. The Jones Library is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In response to an objection filed on behalf of the Amherst Historic Preservation Coalition (AHPC), HUD reviewed Amherst’s request to release $1,110,661 in Economic Development Initiative grant funds awarded to the Jones Library Renovation and Expansion project as part of the $1.7 trillion federal spending package for FY23. The AHPC had argued that the library project fails to fully address adverse impacts as requested by the Massachusetts Historical Commission and entered into a construction contract before the environmental review had been completed.
In a July 15 letter to Anderson & Krieger, counsel representing the AHPC, Mark Sorbo of HUD’s Boston Regional Office explained that a regulatory violation occurred when Town Manager Paul Bockelman signed a construction contract with general contractor Fontaine Bros. on April 18, before HUD had issued an Authority to Use Grant Funds (AUGF). As a “choice limiting action” this premature commitment to construction placed federal funding for the project in jeopardy.
However, HUD ruled that the violation was “inadvertent” because the town relied on an inaccurate interpretation of HUD’s Choice Limiting Action Violation Fact Sheet and had “included a provision stating that the contract is conditioned on the successful completion of the HUD environmental review process.”
HUD concluded that the project is not expected to result in unmitigated adverse environmental impacts and therefore has authorized use of the grant funds.
Are the HUD Jones Library Funds Secure?
Special Capital Projects Coordinator Robert Peirent, who administered the environmental review for the town, reported on progress at the July 14 Jones Library Building Committee meeting. Omitting mention of the violation that HUD cited, Peirent expressed confidence that the federal grant money would soon be in the town’s hands.
See related: Jones Library Building Committee Approves Lots of Spending, Gets Little Information
“We had a conversation with HUD staff about a month ago now — myself, Sharon [Library Director Sharry], and Ginnie [Jones Library Capital Campaign Manager Hamilton]. The response at that point was very positive that they were basically ready to approve the project.”
Peirent indicated that transmittal of funds required approval by the congressional grants director, and “he’s indicated that he has a letter written that’s ready to sign, and he’s just confirming basically who’s going to sign that letter.”
Peirent reported that recent follow-up inquiries had gone unanswered but assured the committee, “We expect it to be imminent.”
Peirent’s optimism contrasts with media reports of deep HUD funding cuts proposed by President Donald Trump. Trump’s FY26 budget request would slash HUD funding by 44% and would eliminate or dramatically reduce HUD programs that Amherst heavily relies on. The President has asked congress to eliminate the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program which benefits housing rehabilitation, infrastructure improvements and social services. In FY24 Amherst received $925,000 in CDBG funding.
Trump also proposes to severely restrict HUD’s Section 8 Voucher program which helps low-income families, elderly persons, veterans and disabled individuals afford housing. The President proposes to add time limits and work requirements which, according to AP News, would put 1.4 million of the nation’s poorest renters at risk of losing their homes.
The impact to tenants of Amherst affordable housing properties such as Clark House which has 100 Section 8 approved units available could be devastating.
How budget cuts may affect federal funding for the Jones Library project remains unclear. But before $1.1 million is released to Amherst, HUD and congressional decisionmakers may need to weigh the relative importance of the Community Development Block Grant program, Section 8 affordable housing assistance, and demolishing a 30-year-old library addition, ripping out 20% of the 1928 building’s historic millwork, and expanding the Jones Library to 63,000 sq. ft. at a cost of $50 million. The Jones Library will be operating out of a 19,000 sq. ft. temporary space at 101 University Drive for the next 18 months to two years.
