AMHERST — A plan for improving the surroundings for both pedestrians and vehicles in the Pomeroy village center in South Amherst is advancing through a $1.5 million grant from the state’s MassWorks Infrastructure program.
The recent announcement of the award will allow a project nearly 20 years in the making to begin at the intersection of West Street and Pomeroy and West Pomeroy lanes, where several retail businesses and restaurants have opened in strip developments, and office buildings and condominiums are located nearby.
At a recent community online discussion, Planning Director Christine Brestrup said the area is thriving, with popular eateries such as Mission Cantina and El Camalito, but frequent vehicle backups occur on the roads.
“We would really like to improve that intersection to make it more usable for everybody,” Brestrup said
Among the ideas that have been developed are rebuilding sidewalks, installing new bus stops, crosswalks and bicycle lanes and putting in traffic-calming devices.
During forums led by the Design Review Board over the years, residents have spoken in favor of encouraging more multi-family housing and economic development, while enhancing pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular safety.
In 2003, Amherst convinced the state to relinquish control of the intersection after town officials expressed dismay at proposed changes to the intersection that would have only benefited motorists. By 2007, the town began the year-round maintenance of West Street, also known as Route 116, extending south to the Notch.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman said one decision to be made is whether to add a roundabout or turning lanes to the intersection. The big challenge, he said, will be to engage the public.
The MassWorks grant also comes with money to support developments along the frontage of Hickory Ridge Golf Course, which the town inteds to buy, and a proposed apartment complex on West Street.
A symposium on reparations for Black Americans, and the possibility of Amherst initiating its own efforts, is being held Tuesday.
The online event, sponsored by Amherst for Reparations, is scheduled to run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Robin Rue Simmons, an alderman in Evanston, Illinois, a city that has passed a reparations ordinance to make down payments on housing and encourage Black entrepreneurship through the use of $10 million collected in cannabis sales taxes over the next decade, and Kamm Howard, national male co-chairman of N’COBRA, the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America, will be the main speakers.
Those interested in taking part in the discussion, which will have breakout groups, can sign up for the online link at https://reparationsforamherstma.com/
An annual toy drive, launched by Amherst Police, will benefit the Amherst Survival Center, Bridge Family Resource Center and Jessie’s House.
Running through Dec. 21, people are encouraged to place gifts, books, winter clothes, wrapping paper, gift cards and other items they wish to donate in a box set up in the outer lobby at the 111 Main St. police station. Then, using the phone in the lobby, the station officer will be notified that a toy has arrived so it can be secured in the building.
For more information, contact Detective Marcus Humber at 259-3355 or humberm@amherstma.gov.
Amherst’s Town Council is encouraging shoppers to visit local restaurants and retailers as the holiday season kicks off with Small Business Saturday.
A resolution adopted by the council urges “the residents of our community to support Amherst wide small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year.”
One way the town is continuing to help restaurants is keeping Jersey barriers in place in downtown to allow outdoor dining, with heaters set up inside tents.
Though Northampton has removed its Jersey barriers, Bockelman said Department of Public Works Superintendent Guilford Mooring only needs them taken away before the first significant snow is forecast.
MONDAY: Public Art Commission, noon, and Amherst Housing Authority and Ranked Choice Voting Commission, both at 2 p.m., all virtual meetings.
TUESDAY: Community Resources Committee, 2 p.m., and Joint Amherst and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee, 6 p.m. both virtual meetings.
THURSDAY: Jones Library trustees, 4:30 p.m., virtual meeting.
SATURDAY: Four towns meeting, 9 a.m., virtual meeting.