Amherst Center: What does downtown really look like?

Published on December 08, 2006

Here at Amherst Center, we're always on the lookout for ideas that bring people together. And one area where we've found a surprising level of agreement is the idea of further developing our downtown, in a "smart growth" way.

Environmentally minded folks like the idea of people living, working and shopping in the same area, which reduces driving while encouraging walking and biking. Fiscally minded folks like the idea of more local businesses contributing to help reduce the tax burden on homeowners. And just about everyone likes the idea of more fun things to do in our own town, for people of all ages, contributing to a more robust sense of community.

With this in mind, we'd like to invite you to take a virtual tour of downtown with us today. Take a good look, beyond the familiar signs and storefronts, to the actual, physical buildings themselves. Do they support or hinder the downtown as a vibrant place to work, live, shop, eat and/or play?

Start your tour by standing on the corner of Main and Pleasant, in front of the Subway shop, looking south. It's a very nice view-the common and Town Hall, framed by rows of multi-story, mixed use - retail/office/residence - buildings along the west side of Pleasant Street (R. Michelson Galleries to Collective Copies) and the north side of Main Street (Subway to Newbury Comics).

Next, look west, down Amity Street. There's the new Amherst Cinema, which we're quite excited about. Community-minded, independent programming, a magnet for the dinner-and-a-movie crowd as well as passers-by - it all adds up to a real shot in the arm for the downtown, attracting folks from all generations.

Now let's cross North Pleasant, stand on the sidewalk in front of Amherst Brewing Company, and look across the street. From Subway to Fatso's, the three-story architecture continues, with storefronts, offices, and apartments. But then it stops.

Many of our established North Pleasant Street businesses are conducted out of converted family houses (McMurphy's, Judie's, Starbucks, Douglass Funeral Home) or single-story buildings (Bart's, Zanna, the Toy Box, the Sub, etc.). Single-story buildings line the other side of the street as well, from CVS to the Henion Bakery. And the section from the Carriage Shops to Triangle Street is a mishmash of asphalt, stand-alone buildings and hidden storefronts.

Here's why this matters. Think of each single-story, single-use building as a lost opportunity for someone to live there; for there to be 200 percent more property taxes generated; for there to be more local, nondriving customers for the neighboring retail businesses.

Economic development experts tell us that if you want a lively downtown, it really helps to have multi-story buildings with people living and working as well as shopping there. We've learned about a "multiplier effect," which is when people who work or live downtown provide steady support for stores and restaurants there, which in turn makes the downtown a more viable and attractive destination for others.

As our tour shows, we have this type of architecture in some places, particularly along the west and north sides of the common. But much of our downtown is competing with one hand tied behind its back.

Let's face it, a chunk of our downtown is a combination of asphalt parking lots mixed with single-story converted houses trying to support businesses. There is not enough living and office space mixed in, which could offer a good deal of support for robust retail businesses, boost tax revenue that is sorely needed and lessen the need for cars to access our businesses.

We believe there's support for a revitalized downtown that conforms to green, smart-growth principles - mixed-use, compatible architecture, walkability, etc. - and will help shore up our town's fiscal foundation. To make this happen, we need to plan effectively, from the vision of the master plan, down to the nuts and bolts of zoning and regulations, and through to efficient and effective building permitting and inspections.

We will also need to form partnerships between our downtown residents, our educational institutions, our local businesses, and our developers to generate the ideas and investments required for such redevelopment. The Amherst Cinema Arts Center is a great first step in this direction; we need to continue the momentum.

We don't have all the answers on this, but we think it's an area that deserves attention. When you come downtown to do your shopping this holiday season, take a good look, beyond the decorations, to the buildings themselves. Let us know what you see in Amherst Center.

Amherst Center is a monthly column looking at local issues from a centrist point of view. It is written by Town Meeting members Baer Tierkel and Clare Bertrand and School Committee member Andy Churchill.