North Amherst Village Center
Check out the Form Based Zoning Q & A prepared by the Amherst Planning Department!
When Cowls closed its Sawmill in 2010, a 14,400sf Commercial building and 14 acres of Commercially-zoned land became available for redevelopment, just one half mile north of UMass. An additional 15 Commercially-zoned acres between Sunderland Road and Route 116 are also available. This available land was designated in Amherst's 2009 Master Plan as within the town's "North Amherst Village Center" (NAVC) core redevelopment area. See Opportunities for redevelopment on Cowls land.
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The Town of Amherst is a prime destination in the Pioneer Valley for jobs, enterprise and recreation, shopping, services, and social events. North Amherst is the northern gateway to Amherst. NAVC is easily reached from the eastern and western hill towns and from abutting states via Routes 2, 116 and Interstate 91. People funnel through North Amherst to reach UMass,the colleges, and other places of work.
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On its former mill site, Cowls envisions a vibrant, attractive mixed-use village center, with some residential areas and some buildings with retail, restaurant and service businesses on the first floors and residences above. Cowls is seeking real estate development partners who want to build residential, commercial, and mixed use enterprises in NAVC. Cowls is also seeking Commercial tenants. Cowls would like to lease its 14,400 s.f. of commercial space, former sawmill building, as a NAVC anchor business such as a restaurant, retail establishment, health club or performance venue. Additional buildings and/or lots around this existing mill building are also available for lease.
If you're interested in our redevelopment opportunities, please contact our realtor, Micki Sanderson, Cell:413-265-0061, Jones Group Realtors
The Town of Amherst has started the North Amherst Village Center Planning and Visioning Process! In order to inform the process, we have prepared some background materials including:
North Amherst Village Center Vision
July 2011 DRAFT Conceptual Plan
An Overview of Cowls Background Research and Due Diligence
An Economic History of the North Amherst Triangle
A Zoning History of North Amherst Village Center
Traffic Counts in North Amherst
Your input is welcome! Please email land@cowls.com and let us know what you think the future of NAVC should be like.
Why you should invest in North Amherst...
1. Amherst is the best college town in America! http://www.umass.edu/umhome/feature-story/article/36
2. Locating Near a University Could Benefit Your Company's Bottom Line, from Area Development Magazine, Fall 2011
NAVC in the News:
Amherst Board not giving up on form-based zoning, Hampshire Gazette, November 21, 2011
Zoning for the Future, Hampshire Gazette Editorial, November 3, 2011
Back to the Future on Amherst Zoning, Amherst Bulletin Editorial, November 4,2011
N. Amherst Clash Q & A, Amherst Bulletin, November 4, 2011
Fighting sprawl with form-based zoning, Crowner et al Commentary, Amherst Bulletin, October 28, 2011
Village Center plan promotes town's goals, Puffer/Garnier Family, Hampshire Gazette, October 27, 2011
Amherst Select Board backs controversial zoning proposal, Hampshire Gazette, October 26, 2011
North Amherst Plan Fits Town's Vision, Commentary, Tony Maroulis, Amherst Bulletin, October 13, 2011
Zoning Change to Come Before Town Meeting, Hampshire Gazette, October 7, 2011
North Amherst Planning Session Set, Hampshire Gazette, May 5, 2011
Firm Hired for North Amherst/Atkins Work, Hampshire Gazette, March 10, 2011
North Amherst Landowner Frustrated with Rezoning Process, Hampshire Gazette, January 10, 2011
Commentary by Tony Maroulis, Amherst Bulletin, August 27, 2010
More Study Urged by Town Planners, Amherst Bulletin, July 30, 2010
Lumber Boss Miffed over Rezoning Delay, Hampshire Gazette, July 24, 2010
Lumber Boss Pitches Proejct to ARA, Amherst Bulletin, April 23, 2010
Cowls Owner has Vision for North Amherst, Hampshire Gazette, April 16, 2010
Links:
Amherst Urban Form Analysis (Form Based Zoning), Prepared by ACP Planning, 2007
North Amherst Village Improvement Society
Town of Amherst Planning Board and Zoning
W. D. Cowls Pulpit Hill Vision
The History and Future of the Cowls Family Homestead in North Amherst, Presented by Cinda Jones to the Amherst Club, February 2011