Amherst Launches Zoning Study For Hampshire College Campus
AMHERST — Amherst has opened a zoning study to plan for the future of the Hampshire College campus after the college's announcement that it will cease academic operations following December 2026, the town said in a News & Announcements post this week. Town officials are also inviting residents into an 8-week Civic Academy program exploring how local government works, with applications due Sunday, September 20.
TOWN HALL
The town's zoning study, dubbed the Hampshire Campus Zoning Study, is meant to develop options for the campus property once Hampshire College's academic operations wind down after December 2026. No timeline for adopting new zoning was specified in the town's announcement, but the effort marks the first formal step toward deciding what comes next for the sprawling South Amherst property.
Separately, the town is accepting applications for its free All About Amherst: Civic Academy, an 8-week program in which participants will meet with town staff, tour municipal facilities and learn how day-to-day local government operates. Residents interested in joining have until Sunday, September 20, to apply.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Jones Library has added two notable programs to its late-summer lineup: "How To Use AI In Your Job Search," a virtual workshop set for Wednesday, August 26, at 9:30 a.m., and "An Evening of Poetry," scheduled for Thursday, August 27, at 7 p.m. Both are part of the library's ongoing push to broaden its adult-programming slate beyond its regular book clubs and game nights.
COMING UP
Library patrons have several virtual and in-person programs on the calendar this week: "Paris's Luxembourg Garden," a virtual talk, is set for Tuesday, August 18, at 1 p.m.; "A Visit To The Smithsonian Museum," also virtual, follows Wednesday, August 19, at 7 p.m.; and "Let's Play Mahjong!" meets Thursday, August 20, at 1 p.m.
Around town, the community calendar lists Ice Cream in the Park, Open-Play Pickleball at Mill River and Sandlot Baseball all on Sunday, August 16, followed by South Church's "Christmas in August" craft sale on Tuesday, August 18.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.