Business leaders and representatives from the University of Massachusetts and Amherst College have been working for more than two years to establish the district downtown.
AMHERST – There were handshakes and hugs in the hallway after the Select Board voted to establish the downtown Business Improvement District.
Business leaders along with representatives from the University of Massachusetts and Amherst College have been working for more than two years to establish the district downtown.
According to the improvement's Web site the district is defined as a" designated area in which property owners choose to initiate, manage and finance services to supplement the baseline of town services for the benefit of district employees, students, residents and visitors.”
“We feel at Amherst College that the future of the downtown and the college are inextricably linked,” said James D. Brassord, Amherst College director of facilities planning and management.
“The economic vitality and health of the downtown is critical (to the college,)” he said.
UMass deputy chancellor Todd A. Diacon also said the university gives “its strongest support possible” to the district’s creation. “What is good for the downtown is good for the University of Massachusetts.”
Being part of the districts provides “another venue to discuss town gown/issues with business owners and business leaders,” he said.
Both institutions will contribute in a myriad ways including providing volunteers to work on various projects.
Select Board member Diana B. Stein said the town has seen “businesses come and go.” She is hoping the district “will lead to businesses coming.”
About 65 percent of all property owners signed on to be part of the district.
State law mandates that the proponents of the district obtain the signatures of at least 60 percent of the property owners within the designated area.
No one spoke against the district at the mandatory public hearing held to establish it.
All property owners within the district will be notified and have 45 days in which to opt out, said Tony A. Maroulis, executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce after the meeting.
In the meantime, members will elect a Board of Directors.
The district he said, “it’s setting up a sustainable downtown. It’s really great for our future.”
Developer Barry L. Roberts who along with business owner Gerald Jolly spearheaded the creation of the district, has said that he expects the district to collect annual fees of about $400,000, including in-kind services provided by nonprofit members as well as the town, which will be part of the district. Fees are based on assessed property values.
The board of directors will decide how the money is used.
Northampton created a Business Improvement District in 2009. Districts have also been established in Westfield and Springfield.