AMHERST –A day-long visit from representatives of the Massachusetts Cultural Council Wednesday is giving Amherst officials confidence that the town’s first cultural district will be in place next month.

Rene Theberge, chairman of the Public Art Commission, said Thursday that the visit and tour was the final piece of an application process that began last summer and will be complete when the state council votes on the district May 17.

“This is an opportunity to increase the arts here, and to promote economic development,” Theberge said of the designation.

Cultural districts are already in place in both Northampton, where the Paradise City Cultural District extends from Elm Street to Main Street, and in Easthampton, which has the Cottage Street Cultural District.

The Amherst Business Improvement District would manage the proposed district.

BID Executive Director Sarah la Cour helped lead the 90-minute tour and believes state officials are supportive.

“From all the feedback we got, it was really positive,” la Cour said. 

Participating in the tour were Anita Walker, executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council; Meri Jenkins and Annie Houston, staffers of the council; and Maren Brown, a Northampton-based consultant for the council who will write a report analyzing whether the proposed boundaries are appropriate and walkable.

During the tour, they were shown various attractions, beginning with the Strong House Museum, Jones Library, Amherst Cinema and A3 Gallery, all on Amity Street, continuing on Spring Street past the Lord Jeffery Inn to Hope & Feathers Framing and Printing and the Emily Dickinson Museum on Main Street, to the West Cemetery on Triangle Street. Along the way they also could view public art, including the Louis Comfort Tiffany window at the Unitarian Meetinghouse, the Amherst History Mural at West Cemetery, the Portal sculpture in Kendrick Park and art installations at the Boltwood parking garage.

Theberge said once the designation is in place, Amherst will receive money to buy signs to identify the district’s perimeter.

“The first thing people will notice is the signs,” Theberge said.

La Cour said the cultural district will also be eligible for $5,000 to develop a marketing plan, and money can also be used for technical help and streetscape improvements.

“It’s actually much more than symbolic these days,” la Cour said.

Theberge said he appreciated the backing of the project from interim Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek, interim Planning Director Christine Brestrup, Economic Development Director Geoff Kravitz and Select Board member Connie Kruger, all of whom were present to meet with state leaders.

“That was a really great level of support,” Theberge said. “We felt really supported by everyone in town government.”

Theberge also thanked the late Town Manager John Musante, who gave the Public Art Commission the go-ahead to pursue the cultural district.

“This is an extension of Musante’s vision for Amherst,” Theberge said.

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