Amherst Partners with MassDevelopment on Hampshire College Campus Planning
The state agency will help the town develop a vision for the campus that balances new housing and economic development with environmental protection.
Amherst has partnered with MassDevelopment, the state's development finance and land bank agency, to plan future uses for the Hampshire College campus following the college's closure announced in mid-April. The planning effort aims to generate property tax revenue, create new housing, and guide redevelopment of the campus land.
The initiative, which begins in June, will assess which portions of the campus can support development while protecting sensitive habitats and leveraging existing infrastructure. Town Manager Paul Bockelman said the town has engaged in discussions since the Hampshire College Board of Trustees voted to close the college and that MassDevelopment's involvement will provide professional analysis to guide future development aligned with town goals.
MassDevelopment will deploy a team of consultants including the Horsley-Witten Group, Dodson and Flinker, and U3 Advisors to provide environmental, land use, and economic development expertise. The planners will identify where different types of housing and other uses can be supported and develop zoning that allows phased implementation.
Jeff Bagg, Amherst's director of planning and economic development, said the project will help the town assess the land and create a balance between habitat protection and development in areas where infrastructure already exists or can be easily extended. The effort aligns with the town's 2021 Comprehensive Housing Policy and 2025 Housing Production Plan, which emphasize housing diversity in developed areas close to village centers.
State Representative Mindy Domb and Senator Jo Comerford, representing Amherst and Northampton respectively, said in a joint statement that they appreciate MassDevelopment's engagement and expect the assessment process to explore proposals that meet community needs and align with community values.
The town will create a project website in the coming weeks to provide updates, collect community questions and ideas, and share information about the Hampshire College planning process.