AMHERST — A future site for supportive affordable housing and a permanent homeless shelter on Main Street, a short distance from the town center, is ready for development following the recent demolition of the former VFW headquarters for the Earl J. Sanders Post 754.
The early 1960s building at 457 Main St., featuring a banquet hall on one floor and a bar on the lower level, was knocked down on Aug. 12.
Town officials are hoping to use the property, just under an acre and acquired for $775,000 from the Earl J. Sanders Post 754 in January 2023, for a new building that may include affordable apartments, including some for veterans, the Craig’s Place shelter, currently located in a North Amherst church, and other supportive services.
Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek said the town continues to work with The Narrow Gate architects of Boston on the plans. Narrow Gate led a community forum in June, and in September will be presenting findings from that forum, and likely unveiling conceptual plans for the site.
Earlier in the year, town officials toured Father Bill’s Place and MainSpring in Quincy to get ideas, including a temporary shelter that includes transitional housing, along with a resource center for people to find jobs, medical care and permanent homes.
Many people in town have memories of the building that was built mostly by World War II veterans, with wedding receptions, funerals and other gatherings held in the hall over the years; and the downstairs dining area and kitchen where the public could order fish and chips on Fridays, and a bar where guests could drink, socialize and play billiards.
The last drinks were hoisted at the bar in February 2020, just weeks before the onset of the COVID pandemic.
The Narrow Gate is also working with Way Finders on developing 70 or so affordable homes in East Amherst. Bluebird on East and Bluebird on Nine are the names of those developments, the former incorporating the former East Street School, while the latter is planned for vacant properties on Belchertown Road.
