ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AMHERST

The prospects for future economic development in Amherst were greatly approved over the last few weeks with two recent achievements.

First, the Amherst Planning Board recently unanimously approved the proposal to develop a five story retail and apartment complex on Boltwood Place, directly behind Judi's Restaurant. This important proposal was made possible by two particular initiatives. First, rezoning, approved by Town Meeting, expanded density possibilities that allowed for the additional lot coverage needed to make this proposal possible. Second, town staff worked carefully with the developers to ensure that the proposal had the greatest opportunity to be approved by the Planning Board. Congratulations are in order for Dave Williams and Kyle Wilson, the project developers and Jonathan Tucker and Bonnie Weeks who worked hard to resolve the challenges that may have prevented the project from being approved.

Second, Amherst College has announced that the project to restore the Lord Jeffery Inn has been approved by the Board of Trustees. The restoration of this venerable component of downtown Amherst is critical to bringing people and energy to the central business district. Amherst College is dedicated to bringing a top flight restaurant as part of the magnificent restoration. I would like to congratulate Amherst College for its continued support for our community.

Town department heads have been preparing budgets for Fiscal Year 2011 which begins July 1, 2010. There is no good news to share about the prospect of being able to avoid serious consequences relative to the lack of state revenue. However, we are working hard to provide innovative solutions to very difficult circumstances.

Larry Shaffer, Town Manager