As reported in the Sept. 8 Gazette, the Amherst Select Board “frowns” on the “bold” renovation plan for the North Common opposite Town Hall. The reason given, as stated by Alisa Brewer, is that it eliminates 34 parking places without a plan for their replacement.
Amherst can’t make up its mind about its parking problem, including whether in fact it even has a problem. So far, the town’s answer has been to squeeze out an additional space here and there as it could — three spaces previously reserved for taxis on South Pleasant St., a couple additional spaces in the North Common plans by making Boltwood Ave. one way and introducing diagonal parking along one side.
Parking underlies nearly every discussion of any project Amherst contemplates. The latest example is the proposed Spring St. project where the developers removed 17 proposed onsite parking spaces as well as removing three spaces in front of the building for a “bump-out” grassy area with trees. This green space was later nixed at the Planning Board’s request to preserve those three parking spaces.
We cannot solve Amherst’s parking problems by squeezing out an additional few spaces here and there. More importantly, it’s incredibly short-sighted to allow this obsession with preserving each existing parking space to control the design of structures, plazas and green spaces that will determine the character of our downtown for decades — especially when we won’t tackle the thorny zoning issues that allow developers to build high-rise residences without providing any onsite parking.
We should at least consider these two actions to resolve Amherst’s parking issues: 1.) Revisit our outdated zoning law regarding the Municipal Parking District overlay, and 2.) Include prioritizing a new parking garage or, better yet, combined parking garage and performing arts center, along with Amherst’s four other proposed capital projects.
And yes, we should think and act boldly with the North Common project, the front door to Amherst’s downtown and, thus, the most visible expression of our town values and identity. This exciting opportunity should not fall victim to our patchwork attempts to resolve parking, space by cherished space.
Eric Broudy
Amherst