The Jones Library Trustees have worked diligently to engage the public in the capital planning process to renovate and expand the Jones Library building in the center of Amherst, MA. Leveraging federal, state, local, public and private funds, Jones Library will be renovated and expanded to become accessible and welcoming to everyone; eliminate the use of fossil fuels; meet the current and growing needs for space for English language instruction, for computer and internet access, for programs for children, adults and teens, and for safekeeping Amherst’s invaluable history. And it will restore one of the Town’s iconic buildings, preserving the front façade and reopening parts of the historic interior currently closed to the public. From the start, preservation of the historic 1928 building has been paramount in planning and discussion. A comprehensive listing of public engagement activities is available upon request.
Major engagement opportunities include:
• 2014 Amherst Town Meeting approves funding for planning and design, launching an extensive long range planning process;
• 2015-2016, Jones Library Board of Trustees provide proactive presentations to residents, boards, and committees, including a listening tour;
• 2016 Finegold Alexander Architects (FAA) selected as project architects. FAA creates schematic designs and massing models, and offers presentations to Town residents, boards and committees
• 2017 Amherst Town Meeting approves grant submission to MA Board of Library Commissioners’ Public Library Construction Program (MBLC). MBLC awards grant, putting Jones Library #9 on wait list;
• 2019 Amherst Town Council conducts public engagement listening sessions regarding capital investment projects, including the Library.
• 2019-2020 FAA makes MBLC-required changes to schematics, presents to Trustees and public. Amherst Community Preservation Act Committee process approves historic preservation funding;
• 2020-2021 Amherst Town Council process results in 10-2-1 vote to approve project funding;
• 2021 Townwide referendum confirms public support, with 65% voting favorably to fund the project;
• 2021 Jones Library Building Committee begins work, including extensive public outreach efforts.
• March 2022 MHC approves historic preservation restriction for exterior features of the building;
• Sept 2022 Amherst Town Council approves continuing the project in light of cost escalations.
• Fall 2023 Project reviews by local Town committees including the Amherst Design Review Board, Public Shade Tree Committee, and a Planning Board public hearing.
• Sept 14, 2023 Amherst Historical Commission public hearing regarding the demolition of the 1993 addition to the 1928 structure and changes to the 1928 structure. Continued to October 19, 2023, at the end of the 6-hour hearing, AHC approving the project.
• November 13 - December 18, 2023 Amherst Town Council voted 12-0-1 to amend the borrowing cap to reflect current project costs. This vote was the result of extensive deliberations over the course of three Council meetings and multiple sub-committee meetings, with extensive public comment favoring the project 5:1.
• January 8, 2024 Amherst Historical Commission reviewed plans for internal changes to the building, offering advisory opinions on the plan. After the 2-hour discussion, including public comment, AHC voted favorably and formally expressed their support to MHC.
• April 26, 2024 Upon receiving a single bid at 18% over budget, JLBC & Trustees launch value engineering process to rebid in Fall 2024. Decision making process involves robust resident input.
• June 6, 2024 MA Board of Library Commissioners vote to extend Public Library Construction Program contract includes extensive written and oral public comment, described by one Commissioner as the most she’s seen during her tenure on the Board.
• August 22, 2024 Amherst Historical Commission hearing revisits project to review historic features affected by value engineering. (Removal of roof monitor on new addition; bid alternates to replace synthetic slate with asphalt shingle on the 1927 roof and repair rather than replace 1927 windows; use of no-mow grasses instead of flowering perennials in the rear garden; postponing exterior benches and children’s fenced patio for future funding.)
• August 2024 Town of Amherst assumes authority of responsible entity to carry out the Section 106 process, namely establish the undertaking, identify and evaluate historic properties, assess effects to historic properties, and resolve any adverse effects.
Note that the Amherst Town Charter, adopted by voters in 2018, mandates all meetings of public commissions, committees, and boards must include a public comment period on the agenda. This includes the Jones Library Board of Trustees and all committees and boards reviewing project plans.
Beyond public comment at Trustees meetings, including on presentations by the architects, the Trustees in 2020 and 2021 offered regular virtual public forums discussing aspects of the project and inviting the public to engage with project planners. Notable to historic preservation are Accessibility (8/2020), Schematic Design (9/2020); Special Collections (10/2020); and Historic Preservation (12/2020). Forums were recorded and remain available to the public. Outreach for each included this text, “Listeners will be able to utilize the ‘Q&A’ or 'raise hand' buttons built into Zoom to ask questions or give comments and concerns. We will try to address all questions and acknowledge all raised hands as time allows. You will also be able to phone in to hear the session.”
Notable examples of the building committee’s and architect’s responsiveness to public concerns include plans to retain the historic main internal staircase as well as the Palladian window on the north face of the historic building and several other windows being adjusted rather than removed. During the Amherst Historical Commission’s Fall 2023 hearing regarding the demolition of the 1993 addition to the building, members of the public expressed concern about the visual effect of incorporating a book drop access panel in the exterior wall near the front entrance. In response, the architectural team presented additional options, including shifting the book drop into an existing window opening. Upon review, the Historical Commission chose the wall access first proposed because it was less visually and structurally disruptive.
