Letter: Town And UMass Must Collaborate To Address Student Housing Crisis
Photo: Amherst Indy
The Amherst Planning Department is responsible for planning and development of new housing in Amherst. Some of us have asked the Planning Department if they have coordinated planning with the University of Massachusetts when student housing is being considered. Because students at UMass use the Amherst downtown, and because there is so much vacant land at the University of Massachusetts, it would be useful to understand what joint efforts have been made.
We haven’t been able to get a response from Christine Brestrup or others at the Planning Department. It would be useful for all Amherst residents to know the answer.
Dick Bentley
Dick Bentley is a resident of District 3
Big Dog on the corner does not have to talk to the lill one. He just barks and the lill one need obey. Here’s wishin the U created a forum for further dialogue at this weeks “Breakfast”. Since they will not – may be deals for more pizza or drinks for students (may be not as that’s where the colleges make money – room and board, “other activities”, not classes) Amherst could follow the lead on how other cities’n towns deal w/ the effects of anchor institutions like local U’s. We don’t need an Economic Development town staff. We need one who researches, soc. surveys, plans, consults on these issues and talks w/Chancellors’n Twn Councilors…
Chad Fuller