North Amherst Library Project

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Consultation has concluded, project began construction in Summer of 2022. 

The Town of Amherst is working with the Kuhn-Riddle Architects group to design plans for a proposed addition to the North Amherst Library. This work is being generously funded by a private donor.

This project seeks to:

  • create an accessible entrance to the library, so that all can use the space
  • build accessible bathrooms
  • create a community meeting space that can accommodate 40-50 people

Wright Builders has been selected as the contractor for the project. Curious to see the proposed design? Take a look at our video below!

Architect Charles Roberts Explains Proposed North Amherst Library Addition Design

What you can do now:

  • Take a moment to answer our quick poll, ask your questions, or share you stories below.
  • If you have questions, please contact the staff member listed under "Who's Listening?" on the right hand side of this page or post your question below.

Construction began in Summer of 2022.

The Town of Amherst is working with the Kuhn-Riddle Architects group to design plans for a proposed addition to the North Amherst Library. This work is being generously funded by a private donor.

This project seeks to:

  • create an accessible entrance to the library, so that all can use the space
  • build accessible bathrooms
  • create a community meeting space that can accommodate 40-50 people

Wright Builders has been selected as the contractor for the project. Curious to see the proposed design? Take a look at our video below!

Architect Charles Roberts Explains Proposed North Amherst Library Addition Design

What you can do now:

  • Take a moment to answer our quick poll, ask your questions, or share you stories below.
  • If you have questions, please contact the staff member listed under "Who's Listening?" on the right hand side of this page or post your question below.

Construction began in Summer of 2022.

Consultation has concluded, project began construction in Summer of 2022. 

  • Share The North Amherst Library addition was scheduled to go out to bid this autumn. Has that happened? When is construction planned to begin? on Facebook Share The North Amherst Library addition was scheduled to go out to bid this autumn. Has that happened? When is construction planned to begin? on Twitter Share The North Amherst Library addition was scheduled to go out to bid this autumn. Has that happened? When is construction planned to begin? on Linkedin Email The North Amherst Library addition was scheduled to go out to bid this autumn. Has that happened? When is construction planned to begin? link

    The North Amherst Library addition was scheduled to go out to bid this autumn. Has that happened? When is construction planned to begin?

    AmherstRes asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question. The construction documents have been completed. Town staff are assembling the bid package and expect it to be out to bid in the very near future. Construction will be determined after the bid stage, but will most likely begin in the first quarter of 2022. We will be making some updates to the page with new details soon! 


  • Share It’s summer now. Is there a more definite date/process for requesting bids on the addition project? on Facebook Share It’s summer now. Is there a more definite date/process for requesting bids on the addition project? on Twitter Share It’s summer now. Is there a more definite date/process for requesting bids on the addition project? on Linkedin Email It’s summer now. Is there a more definite date/process for requesting bids on the addition project? link

    It’s summer now. Is there a more definite date/process for requesting bids on the addition project?

    Jessica Mix Barrington asked over 3 years ago

    Thank you for your inquiry.  We are developing construction documents and have funding available through bidding. We anticipate construction documents will be completed by the end of September with bidding to take 6-8 weeks after that. There will be a public meeting to review the latest documents coming soon, which will be posted here and advertised on our homepage as well. 


    Update on July 20, 2021: I wanted to inform you that there will be a District 1 meeting coming up next week that will have some updates and discussion about the North Amherst Library Project. Although the meeting will not exclusively discuss the project, it will take up a large portion of the agenda. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 28th starting at 6:00 PM and will be held virtually. All are welcome to attend, please click here for the link to join and full details. Thank you! -Brianna at the Town of Amherst

    bids
    bids
  • Share When can we go to the bidding process and get started on construction? Do we need to have more public meetings or can we move forward ? . Building costs are rising rapidly so can we move as quickly as possible. on Facebook Share When can we go to the bidding process and get started on construction? Do we need to have more public meetings or can we move forward ? . Building costs are rising rapidly so can we move as quickly as possible. on Twitter Share When can we go to the bidding process and get started on construction? Do we need to have more public meetings or can we move forward ? . Building costs are rising rapidly so can we move as quickly as possible. on Linkedin Email When can we go to the bidding process and get started on construction? Do we need to have more public meetings or can we move forward ? . Building costs are rising rapidly so can we move as quickly as possible. link

    When can we go to the bidding process and get started on construction? Do we need to have more public meetings or can we move forward ? . Building costs are rising rapidly so can we move as quickly as possible.

    AmherstRes asked over 3 years ago

    The project will be going out to bid this summer.

  • Share When is the project going out to bid so it can move forward? on Facebook Share When is the project going out to bid so it can move forward? on Twitter Share When is the project going out to bid so it can move forward? on Linkedin Email When is the project going out to bid so it can move forward? link

    When is the project going out to bid so it can move forward?

    AmherstRes asked over 3 years ago

    The library project will go out to bid this summer. 

  • Share How will the changed traffic pattern /road way effect the final design ie another round-a-bout in frnt of this bldg? on Facebook Share How will the changed traffic pattern /road way effect the final design ie another round-a-bout in frnt of this bldg? on Twitter Share How will the changed traffic pattern /road way effect the final design ie another round-a-bout in frnt of this bldg? on Linkedin Email How will the changed traffic pattern /road way effect the final design ie another round-a-bout in frnt of this bldg? link

    How will the changed traffic pattern /road way effect the final design ie another round-a-bout in frnt of this bldg?

    Chad asked over 3 years ago

    There are no proposed traffic pattern changes associated with the Library addition.  That is a separate project about 2 years out at this time.

  • Share Can the two unisex toilets be just toilet in stall with sink outside? European style? This will save costs for space and hot water heating element - just one for the outside sink. , it would also make the sink a available when stalls are busy, providing easy access to sink with water for washing hands and filling water bottles E bus. on Facebook Share Can the two unisex toilets be just toilet in stall with sink outside? European style? This will save costs for space and hot water heating element - just one for the outside sink. , it would also make the sink a available when stalls are busy, providing easy access to sink with water for washing hands and filling water bottles E bus. on Twitter Share Can the two unisex toilets be just toilet in stall with sink outside? European style? This will save costs for space and hot water heating element - just one for the outside sink. , it would also make the sink a available when stalls are busy, providing easy access to sink with water for washing hands and filling water bottles E bus. on Linkedin Email Can the two unisex toilets be just toilet in stall with sink outside? European style? This will save costs for space and hot water heating element - just one for the outside sink. , it would also make the sink a available when stalls are busy, providing easy access to sink with water for washing hands and filling water bottles E bus. link

    Can the two unisex toilets be just toilet in stall with sink outside? European style? This will save costs for space and hot water heating element - just one for the outside sink. , it would also make the sink a available when stalls are busy, providing easy access to sink with water for washing hands and filling water bottles E bus.

    Jazach asked over 3 years ago

    Thank you Jazach for your question. What you describe is noted and being looked at by the project architects but it may not be possible under Massachusetts plumbing codes. 

    ~Brianna at the Town of Amherst

  • Share I was always worried about safe access, from walking to library. cars are jockeying at intersection if Montague Rd and Sunderland Rds, cars speeding and zipping. How will you help walkers safely access the library? on Facebook Share I was always worried about safe access, from walking to library. cars are jockeying at intersection if Montague Rd and Sunderland Rds, cars speeding and zipping. How will you help walkers safely access the library? on Twitter Share I was always worried about safe access, from walking to library. cars are jockeying at intersection if Montague Rd and Sunderland Rds, cars speeding and zipping. How will you help walkers safely access the library? on Linkedin Email I was always worried about safe access, from walking to library. cars are jockeying at intersection if Montague Rd and Sunderland Rds, cars speeding and zipping. How will you help walkers safely access the library? link

    I was always worried about safe access, from walking to library. cars are jockeying at intersection if Montague Rd and Sunderland Rds, cars speeding and zipping. How will you help walkers safely access the library?

    awada asked over 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question and concern. Upon checking in with DPW Superintendent Guilford Mooring, unfortunately pedestrian access to the Library will remain as it is now.  However, this will change when the intersection of Montague and Sunderland Roads are realigned and different intersection controls are installed. We appreciate your feedback. 

    ~Brianna at the Town of Amherst

  • Share Can we provide an area large enough to accommodate replacing the former copper beech tree? Can the "period" oak woodwork be recycled in the new community room? on Facebook Share Can we provide an area large enough to accommodate replacing the former copper beech tree? Can the "period" oak woodwork be recycled in the new community room? on Twitter Share Can we provide an area large enough to accommodate replacing the former copper beech tree? Can the "period" oak woodwork be recycled in the new community room? on Linkedin Email Can we provide an area large enough to accommodate replacing the former copper beech tree? Can the "period" oak woodwork be recycled in the new community room? link

    Can we provide an area large enough to accommodate replacing the former copper beech tree? Can the "period" oak woodwork be recycled in the new community room?

    Gravel Gertie asked over 3 years ago

    Great questions! 

    Copper beach: After construction, there will be landscaping work done. Trees will be placed at the direction of the Amherst Tree Warden. We will look to him as to whether a copper beach is the appropriate tree for this location but your comment is duly noted. 

    Period oak woodwork: We will pass that request along to the architects who have had similar requests for utilizing some of the wonderful classic features from the current building in the new addition.

    Thank you for connecting with us.

    landscape,interior
    landscape interior
  • Share What will it look like? on Facebook Share What will it look like? on Twitter Share What will it look like? on Linkedin Email What will it look like? link

    What will it look like?

    NorthAmherst459 asked almost 4 years ago

    Great question! We have a video featuring the architects coming soon to highlight some of the renderings and will also add a link to them here very shortly. In the meantime, take a look at the above video where some of the current renderings are being explained. Thank you for your question.