My Northampton gem on the former Clark Schools for Hearing and Speech campus is going through a construction project that will change the feel and future of the neighborhood.
The Historic Round Hill Summit LLC development project involves building parking lots and developing “Proposed Lot 4.” The name of the project should be ”Once Historicf2f, Asphalt Alley.”
Over 100 parking spots will be built and mature and healthy trees will be destroyed. The Historic Round Hill Summit LLC is not stopping with condos and parking lots. In their latest proposal they plan to develop “Proposed Lot 4.” “Proposed Lot 4” is the land behind Clark school between Round Hill and Crescent Street. “Proposed Lot 4” was not part of the original plans that were submitted in 2012.
The Historic Round Hill Summit LLC included no details about their plans for “Proposed Lot 4.” If the development group is permitted to carve this piece of nature off from the property, they will not need permits to build. The lack of transparency of their plans to build on “Proposed Lot 4” is concerning.
They could build anything. Historically, this green space has been home to an array of beautiful wildlife. Just in the last year, I have seen wild turkeys, porcupines and a red-tailed hawk.
Families walk through “Proposed Lot 4” to explore the towering trees and nature. For my child, “Proposed Lot 4” was the first mountain, first forest, and first hike. It is is a place for neighbors to talk with neighbors and is part of the culture of our gem. Does every lot need to be filled? Change the name of “Proposed Lot 4” into The Historic Round Hill Greens and keep it green.
Robyn Nelson
Northampton