Chancellor proposes joint hiring of consultant to advise on town-gown development issues

Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy has proposed to Amherst town officials that they jointly hire a consultant to assess key community development issues, including ways to strengthen boundary neighborhoods and bolster the local economy.

 

Subbaswamy proposes splitting the estimated $60,000 cost with the town, and said he would gladly speak at Amherst’s upcoming Town Meeting in support of the idea and to answer questions.

 

“UMass Amherst is an engaged and committed member of the Amherst community,” Subbaswamy said. “Throughout the course of our 150 years of shared history, the university and Amherst have grown and flourished together. With success, new challenges inevitably arise. This proposal will help us engage in creative discussions about how to strengthen our partnership and address issues that concern all of us.”

 

The chancellor said outside expertise, drawing on the experience of other college towns, can bring new perspectives and context to ongoing discussions about the university’s growth, creating new housing options, ensuring neighborhood civility and improving the local economy.