AMHERST — A second parking garage to increase the number of public parking spaces available in downtown Amherst is a key component of a vision for bringing more visitors to the commercial district.
While business leaders have long pushed for new parking spaces, a joint presentation before the Town Council Monday by town officials and representatives of the business community marked the first time building a parking garage, without investment of public dollars, has been discussed.
The garage, which would supplement the existing Boltwood parking garage on Boltwood Walk, other parking lots and on-street parking, is one of a series of projects under the “Destination Amherst” plan that Town Manager Paul Bockelman says is a roadmap for increased vibrancy.
“We feel we’re ready to start acting, and this is the year to make it happen,” Bockelman said.
In addition to the garage, which Bockelman said is an idea worth exploring, and continued improvements to roads and sidewalks throughout downtown, the “Destination Amherst” plan includes renovating the North Common in front of Town Hall, constructing a permanent performing arts shell on the Town Common near the Inn on Boltwood and developing a playground on a portion of Kendrick Park.
Economic Development Director Geoff Kravitz said the 200-space garage is viewed as a vital cog in Amherst’s economic engine because parking is at or near capacity during peak times.
“The basic idea behind the proposal is it would increase spaces available to the public without investment of public dollars,” Kravitz said.
The parking lot between North Pleasant and North Prospect streets, adjacent to the private parking lot for CVS Pharmacy, is being eyed as the site, ideal not only because it is already used for parking, but also because it is close to the Jones Library and the Amherst Cinema.
Kravitz said the town would put out a request for proposals for a public-private partnership. Before going through this public procurement process, though, the Town Council would need to rezone the property to allow parking structures, or add an overlay district on the site.
To get the garage without investment of public dollars, support might come from the Downtown Amherst Foundation, a nonprofit established by the Amherst Business Improvement District that is already aiming to raise $1 million for building, maintaining and programming the performing arts shell on the Town Common.
Amherst BID Executive Director Gabrielle Gould said responding to the proposal would allow Amherst to prioritize tax dollars for public projects, including a new elementary school, a renovated and expanded Jones Library, and a new fire station and Department of Public Works headquarters.
Bockelman said there are no cost estimates yet for a parking garage, but if it does happen the town would lease the land to a private developer with certain conditions to be set. Revenue from parking would pay for its operations.
Though no decisions are expected soon, Council President Lynn Griesemer said she appreciates that the tone is being set to have a partnership between the town and the business community.
Bockelman said a new parking garage not only addresses an actual need, but also the continued perception that parking is limited in downtown. In addition, such a project would allay fears of losing spaces on Main Street as town officials consider renovating the North Common.
There, Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek said the preferred plan, unveiled in 2018, is to renovate the greenspace by eliminating erosion and taking care of the aging trees, as well as removing some of the 48 parking spaces.
“One of the features of the plan is celebrating Town Hall,” Ziomek said.
District 4 Councilor Stephen Schreiber said parking on the North Common should have never happened. Fellow District 4 Councilor Evan Ross said he agrees with this assessment, that it’s a shame the greenspace has been used for parking.
David Mazor who owns 37-39 South Pleasant, said he and others are appalled that the town would consider removing any parking from the Main Street lot. Beautification is a worthy project, Mazor said, but not at the expense of parking.
Carol Johnson, executive director of the Amherst Cinema, said eliminating any spaces will have consequences for those who come to downtown to watch a movie and eat dinner.
Sharon Povinelli, co-owner of A.J. Hastings, disagreed, though, adding she is willing to sacrifice parking for a better greenspace. This was echoed by Jeremy Austin of J. Austin Antiques, who said he prefers a better-looking town center with more programming on the Town Common, even with fewer spaces near his store.
Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Claudia Pazmany said creative ideas are needed to sustain downtown.
Meanwhile, the performing arts shell, Gould said, would increase tourism and use of the common, which she has seen a decline in recent years.
“Amherst needs to be a destination, not a drive-by,” Gould said.
District 5 Councilor Shalini Bahl-Milne said she feels energized by the proposal for this new structure because it will be available to the entire community to view performances, and helps meet goals of inclusion.
Supported by a state grant and local money, the Kendrick Park playground, Ziomek said, builds on a master plan from 2011, with construction likely in the fall and next spring.
“We need to finish the design this spring, probably around June 1, and need to put it out to bid in early summer,” Ziomek said.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
