Letter to the Editor – Benjamin Spencer
May 15, 2017 | Daily Hampshire Gazette
An editorial published in the Weekend Gazette April 15-16 (“Village Hill developer a smart choice”) declared that the vision for Village Hill Northampton is about to be realized when in fact the outcome has fallen short of the objectives stated in the master plan.
The goal was to create a “vibrant, mixed-use community compatible with surrounding neighborhoods” and avoid building an industrial park and/or subdivision. It is hard to look objectively at the L3 KEO (formerly Kollmorgen) facility and parking lot on the south campus and not think this outcome does not reflect that goal.
The objective to “provide vistas, and especially scenic gateways,” was impacted when access to the rim of the south campus was eliminated. The original master plan had a road, sidewalk and bike path running along this location that would have allowed everyone to enjoy one of the most spectacular views in the Valley. What would have been something wonderful is now off limits, complete with “private property – no trespassing” signs.
The sign at the entrance to Village Hill used to say “Community, Commerce, Culture.” It doesn’t anymore, and that’s too bad. I hope this isn’t an indicator that the developers have given up on the original vision. I trust it wasn’t just jargon.
Why do I care? Because this is my neighborhood, this is my community and this is my city. I’d like to know that what we say matters.
I’m curious to see who ends up occupying the lot in front of L3 that was reserved to “preserve the vision” of the south campus. Maybe the National Priorities Project will move its headquarters up from King Street, just like Kollmorgen did.
I hope that someday L3 will abandon ship and the building that never should have been built comes down, and in its place a vibrant, mixed-use community that benefits everyone and respects this remarkable site is developed instead.
Only then, could it truly be said that the vision for Village Hill has been realized.
Benjamin Spencer
Northampton