Town Collaborates with MassDevelopment to Plan for Future Uses of Hampshire College Land  

Source: amherstma.gov

The Town of Amherst is pleased to announce its collaboration with MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, for an extensive, but focused initiative to prepare for future potential uses of the Hampshire College campus. 

“The town appreciates and welcomes the participation of MassDevelopment in providing important professional analysis of the land Hampshire College owns,” said Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman. “The town has been engaged in a wide range of discussions since the Hampshire College Board of Trustees voted to close the college in mid-April. The work with the town’s staff will lead to a full community discussion with the town’s boards and elected leaders to plan and guide future development that will align with the town’s overall goals. We especially appreciate the speed with which MassDevelopment has responded to our needs.” 

The planning process will start in June and seeks to create a vision for the developable portions of the campus that will enable the property to generate much needed new property tax revenue and various kinds of housing to be implemented over time. Through MassDevelopment, the Town will receive technical assistance from a skilled team bringing environmental, land use, and economic development expertise to the effort. MassDevelopment will provide services from the Horsley-Witten Group, Dodson and Flinker, and U3 Advisors. 

“The loss of a major institution like Hampshire College creates challenges for the local economy as well as opportunities,” said MassDevelopment Executive Vice President of Real Estate Sandi Silk. “MassDevelopment’s real estate staff will enlist a team of consultants in a community-driven planning effort, equipping the town to engage prospective buyers and guide a future for the campus centered on economic growth and expanded housing options.” 

“This project will help the town assess the land and determine where and what types of housing and other uses can be supported on the site – creating a balance between habitat protection and development where the infrastructure such as roads, water, and sewer already exist or can be easily extended – and then create a zoning plan that will allow implementation in phases,” said Amherst Director of Planning and Economic Development Jeff Bagg. 

The opportunity for new growth on portions of the campus land is in line with many of the town’s long-standing planning principles: 

• Focus on already developed areas, close to village centers, and with access to existing infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, sidewalks). 
• Allow reuse of suitable existing buildings easily, and with as little discretionary approval process as possible.   
• Identify areas and allow a wide range of housing as outlined in both the 2021 Comprehensive Housing Policy and 2025 Housing Production Plan.   
• Preserve sensitive habitat or resource areas beyond the core campus and create a balance between potential redevelopment and preservation of critical areas.   

State Representative Mindy Domb (D-Amherst) and Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) shared the following joint statement: “We appreciate MassDevelopment’s engagement with the Town of Amherst to assess the potential for future development and use of Hampshire College’s land. We know our constituents, advocates, and town officials have many ideas for the property, and we’re confident that such an assessment process, given the technical assistance from the state and the engagement of the community, will help explore proposals and produce recommendations that meet community needs and align with community values. We look forward to the process and to gaining a better understanding of this unique and potential development opportunity for the Town of Amherst and the region.” 

A project website will be created in the coming weeks to provide updated information about the Hampshire College planning process, collect questions, comments, or ideas, and to share updates from the Town of Amherst on this important project.