AMHERST – Town officials are seeking a designation to create a cultural district encompassing the Emily Dickinson Museum, the Jones Library and the Amherst Cinema.
The Select Board on Monday unanimously endorsed creating the Amherst Downtown Cultural District, which, if approved by the Massachusetts Cultural Commission, would be the first in Amherst and just the third in Hampshire County, following the previous creation of similar districts in Northampton and Easthampton.
Peter Hechenbleikner, interim town manager in Amherst, said arts can serve as an economic development engine.
“To the extent that we want a thriving retail economy, and want to bring people to Amherst to keep it competitive for bricks-and-mortar businesses in the community, arts is a great way to do that,” Hechenbleikner said.
He observed that visitors may be able to go to a museum, dine out and stay in a bed and breakfast, go to the weekly farmers market and then attend a musical performance.
Public Art Commission Chairman Rene Theberge said the designation would allow Amherst to access state and regional tourist bureaus to help promote cultural activities and get technical assistance. The district could also attract state funding for the arts.
Theberge said the district would have about a half-mile diameter beginning in the center and run along both Amity and Main streets.
“The proposal to them is to combine the BID district and the Dickinson Historical District,” Theberge said, adding that the district has to be continuous and walkable.
But the size could be changed by the state commission. Northampton was turned down in its efforts to extend the district from its downtown to the Three County Fairgrounds.
Hechenbleikner said the town’s application will be submitted this week.
The Mead Art Museum at Amherst College would be part of the district, even though campus is not included, because the district gets to the “front steps” of the college, Theberge said.
Though the Yiddish Book Center and Eric Carle Museum near Hampshire College are outside the downtown, they could still benefit if they offer programming within the district.
State cultural commission officials are scheduled to visit April 13, when they will meet with town officials in the morning and then take a tour of the district. A decision on whether to approve Amherst’s request will be made sometime in May.
The Amherst Business Improvement District is supporting the district by being its management agent. Hechenbleikner said he signed a memorandum of understanding with the BID to act in this role.
The cultural district program was launched by the state in April 2011 and is described by the state agency as a means of improving public programs for local arts, humanities and science organizations, and to “enhance the experience for visitors and thus attract more tourist dollars and tax revenue.”
In Northampton, the Paradise City Cultural District extends from Elm Street to Main Street and incorporates places such as the Smith College Museum of Art, the Iron Horse and Calvin Theater, and Historic Northampton.
In Easthampton, the Cottage Street Cultural District has been described by the state’s cultural council as being known for its “down-to-earth funkiness” and “an eclectic array of quaint shops, galleries and bustling nightlife all set in the backdrop of a diverse arts scene.”
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
