The steering committee of the University/Town of Amherst Collaborative, an organization created to oversee policies regarding housing and economic development that benefit both the University of Massachusetts and town, is scheduled to meet for the first time next week.
The first meeting, which will be held at 5 p.m. in the Campus Center on Oct. 28, will be focused on organizing the UTAC and how the collaborative can accomplish its goals for development most efficiently.
The UTAC steering committee was formed after a recommendation by the less formal Town-Gown Steering Committee, and will try to continue the work it began.
“I think we’ll really just focus on how we’re going to do this work,” associate vice chancellor for University relations Nancy Buffone said,.
Buffone, along with interim town manager of Amherst David Ziomek, co-chairs the committee.
The first steering committee meeting will be composed of members of the committee and members from each of the other three subcommittees: economic development, housing, and arts, culture and living.
“It’s to have everybody in the room and to answer any questions that the steering committee members might have,” Buffone said.
The Economic Development subcommittee will look into ways that research conducted by the University can result in opportunities for economic innovation and success within Amherst.
The Economic Development subcommittee will also examine how UTAC can keep graduates and alumni of UMass within the town of Amherst, as well as creating more professional and entrepreneurial opportunities within classroom settings.
The second subcommittee, Housing, will look at increasing the number of staff and faculty living in Amherst, in addition to examining the interaction between the University and housing development within the town. It seeks to create a wide variety of diverse and affordable housing for Amherst residents and those who work at the University.
The third subcommittee, Culture, Arts and Living, will attempt to increase collaboration between UMass and Amherst on creating more opportunities for cultural development in the town. It is also tasked with working to create a more vibrant and welcoming downtown area of Amherst, while preserving the town’s character.
The steering committee’s role is to review the work done by the three subcommittees and assess their findings.
A reception will follow Wednesday’s meeting, which Buffone said would serve as a chance for members of UTAC to get to know each other, encouraging closer business relationships.
The Town-Gown Steering Committee recommended the creation of UTAC last January.
Consultants hired by the Town Gown Steering Committee last November concluded that Amherst town growth, which is driven by the University, has not been keeping up with the rate at which UMass has been growing due to constraints created by the zoning laws and the developmental approval process.
Stuart Foster can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @Stuart_C_Foster.
