Amherst Advances Zoning Study for Hampshire College's Future
The Town of Amherst is moving ahead with a zoning study to shape future uses of the Hampshire College campus after the college announced it will cease academic operations after December 2026, town officials said this week.
TOWN HALL
The town initiated the Hampshire Campus Zoning Study to develop zoning options for the property following Hampshire College's announcement, according to a town update posted this week. The study is intended to prepare the town for whatever comes next at the site once the college winds down academics.
Town Hall will glow purple from Friday, Aug. 28, through the following week to mark International Overdose Awareness Day, the town's News Flash announced. Purple is the color of recovery and is meant to symbolize hope and support, officials said.
Renovations also continue at the Bangs Community Center, where crews are upgrading health and safety systems, accessibility, the Senior Center and the area near Room 101. The building will remain open throughout construction, with completion expected in early 2027, the town said.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Patricia Convery Obituary (2046 - 2026) - Amherst, MA - Daily Hampshire Gazette - Legacy": Patricia Ellen Convery of Amherst died Aug. 4 in Northampton, according to an obituary published by the Daily Hampshire Gazette on Legacy.com (read it at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/gazettenet/name/patricia-convery-obituary?id=62287632).
"Arthur Warren Obituary (1934 - 2026) - Northampton, MA - Daily Hampshire Gazette": Arthur Hilary Warren, born in 1934 and connected to the Amherst area, is remembered with a graveside service set for Sept. 4, the Daily Hampshire Gazette reports (read it at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/gazettenet/name/arthur-warren-obituary?id=62285775).
"Doug Colligan Obituary (1944 - 2026) - Amherst, MA - Daily Hampshire Gazette - Legacy": Doug Colligan died in Amherst on Aug. 17, according to a Daily Hampshire Gazette obituary listing (read it at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/gazettenet/name/doug-colligan-obituary?id=62285776).
"Marian Terry "Terry" Goodhind Obituary (1954 - 2026) - Easthampton, MA - westernmassnews": Marian "Terry" Goodhind was predeceased by her Amherst parents, John Goodhind and Marion Gralenski, according to an obituary carried by Western Mass News (read it at http://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/westernmassnews/name/marian-goodhind-obituary?id=62288284).
COMING UP
The Finance Committee's Ad Hoc Budget Document Subcommittee meets Friday, Aug. 28, followed by the Amherst School Committee's retreat Saturday, Aug. 29, and the Human Rights Commission on Sunday, Aug. 30. A Special Town Council work session and the Cherry Hill Working Group both convene Monday, Aug. 31. On the community calendar, Ice Cream in the Park, Salsa in the Park and open-play pickleball at Mill River are all scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.