Amherst Sets Public Sessions on Hampshire Campus Zoning

AMHERST — Amherst is asking residents to help shape the future of the Hampshire College campus, opening two public input sessions this week as part of a zoning study prompted by the college's plan to cease academic operations after December 2026.

TOWN HALL

The Town of Amherst is holding two public events this week on the future zoning of the Hampshire College campus, after the college announced it will cease academic operations after December 2026. A listening session is set for Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at 125 West Bay Road, followed by a design workshop Thursday, Sept. 24, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the same location. The Hampshire Campus Zoning Study is meant to develop options for how the property could be used once the college's academic operations end.

Town officials are also flagging several looming deadlines. Applications for the free, eight-week All About Amherst Civic Academy, which walks participants through day-to-day town government operations, are due today, Sunday, Sept. 20. The Amherst Cultural Council is accepting grant proposals for up to $56,000 in community-based arts, humanities and sciences programming through Thursday, Oct. 15, and the Community Preservation Act Committee is taking applications for housing, historic preservation, open space and recreation projects through Oct. 16. Elsewhere at Town Hall, renovations at the Bangs Community Center, covering accessibility, health and safety improvements and the Senior Center, remain on track for completion in early 2027, and the town has launched a new Agenda and Minutes Center webpage consolidating meeting materials and video links in one place.

COMMUNITY & ARTS

The Mill District General Store and Local Art Gallery's "Biggest Tiny Art Show" continues in North Amherst, with residents invited to drop in during store hours, Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., to add a 2-inch-by-2-inch painted canvas to the gallery's Front Window exhibit. The show runs through Oct. 11, with donations encouraged for the Amherst Survival Center, and finished pieces can be picked up Oct. 13 through 17.

Amherst Community Theater held auditions Sunday for its production of "Frozen!" at Amherst Regional Middle School, running from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

COMING UP

• Amherst Recreation Commission meets Monday, Sept. 21, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Transportation and Parking Commission meets Tuesday, Sept. 22, 4 to 6 p.m.
• Meet and Greet with the Friends of the Amherst Senior Center and Council on Aging, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 10 to 11 a.m., 1150 West St.
• Zoning Board of Appeals meets Thursday, Sept. 24, 6 to 9 p.m.
• State Rep. Mindy Domb holds office hours Friday, Sept. 25, 4 to 5 p.m., 4 Boltwood Ave.
• Amherst Farmers Market, Saturday, Sept. 26, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Boltwood Avenue.
• Salsa in the Park, Saturday, Sept. 26, 6 to 9:30 p.m., Mill River, 95 Montague Road.

Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.