AMHERST — A 150-acre parcel featuring more than a mile of frontage on the Fort River, including mostly greenspace used as a golf course since 1969, is now owned by the town.

Amherst officials announced this week that the West Pomeroy Lane site, formerly the Hickory Ridge Golf Course, was recently purchased for $520,000 from owner Fort River Solar 2 LLC, a company run by Amherst developer Barry Roberts. The property, near the Hadley town line, is appraised at $5.03 million.

“Securing this very special land will reap benefits for generations to come,” Town Manager Paul Bockelman said in a statement. He credited Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek and his team for completing the complicated transaction, and also praised Roberts and Dave Wasenda, of Appliedgolf of Millstone, New Jersey, for working with the town to preserve the property.

In 2019, the Town Council appropriated $200,000 for the purchase. Council President Lynn Griesemer said this is money well spent.

“Even when funds are tight, we must assert our role as wise stewards for those who will live in our town well into the future. This land will be our legacy,” Griesemer said.

The deal gives Roberts the option of leasing 26 acres for 20 years that will allow installation of a solar array producing 6.44 megawatts of electricity annually, and a 3,500-kilowatt battery storage system.

The town will receive payment in lieu of taxes annually for the solar installation.

Ziomek said the property will address several town priorities, including solar generation and riverfront protection and habitat for common and rare species. The acquisition also means making open space available to the public through cart paths and walking trails, creating a connection between the South Amherst apartment complexes and the Pomeroy village center, and providing land for potential development to meet community needs.

Roberts, a lifelong South Amherst resident, said he understands that the land is special. “I am pleased to be able to make this important contribution to making our town better,” he said.

With the town now owning the property, a master plan for the site can move forward, with the town having already begun to solicit resident input and involvement through online and in-person surveys and forums, including a “Discover Hickory Ridge” event last fall.

Outreach is also happening online at “Engage Amherst” at engageamherst.org/hickory

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.]]>