Williams College has confirmed the proposed art museum will not be located on Southworth Street. We will monitor the college planning committee to ensure this commitment regarding the site remains final.
February 25, 2016
Final supporters
UPDATE:
Williams College has decided to explore other potential sites for this project. The proposed new art museum will not be located on Southworth St. Thank you to all those who expressed their interest in this community effort. And thank you Williams College representatives for hearing the concerns of your neighbors. (Posted January 11, 2015)
Background:
Williams College is exploring the possibility of building a new college arts complex to house the WCMA art collection and galleries, faculty offices, administrative offices, meeting spaces, viewing rooms, a potential cafe, and other associated spaces. The site currently under consideration for this project is located at the northwest corner of Southworth St. and Main St. in Williamstown. The site is owned by Williams College where historic houses have been converted to college office and residential buildings. Some or all (as many as 4) of these properties would be removed if this project goes forward.
The size of the new building has not yet been determined, but to meet the needs of the Williams College Museum of Art and the Art Department it would need to be significantly larger than the buildings located on that site today.
The proposed building site is zoned General Residence District 2. General Residence District 2 is similar but more restrictive than General Residence District 1. District 1 is described in the Town's zoning bylaws as follows: “This zoning designation is intended to provide an area in the Town where people can live who prefer not to live in a rural or semi rural atmosphere, or who prefer not to live in a sparsely populated area, and to provide this area in such a manner and location that the character of the Town will not be destroyed."
Educational institutions are exempt from complying with this zoning regulation and, legally, are permitted to build on residential sites. However, Williams College will have to comply with other zoning/building requirements, such as building height and setbacks. They may have to apply for a variance depending upon the size of the proposed construction.
The Williams College Art Museum will attract visitors to view its collections and participate in a variety of events year round, both during the day and in the evenings. Inevitability, this will result in increased vehicular traffic and parking on Southworth St. even if the parking lot is located behind the building accessed from Main St., an idea that Williams is exploring. Lighting will be installed on the exterior of the building, as required by building code, further increasing the nighttime light pollution on this street which has already been impacted by the college library.
The Petition:
We, the signatories, oppose the construction of the art museum and its associated offices and other facilities on the northwest corner of Southworth Street and Main Street.
Southworth St. is a quintessential New England street that in many ways defines our town. Southworth St. is lined with old New England homes and is a significant pedestrian walkway for families and children going to the elementary school, dog walkers, and other residents heading to work or out for a stroll.
The quiet, people-friendly nature and scale of this street will be greatly diminished by a building of this type.
We are supportive of the college efforts to update and expand its arts related educational program, but we urge that an alternative, more appropriate, site be chosen. One that is, for example, closer to the interior of campus or in the town's designated village business district.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
December 3, 2015
Reached 100 supporters
November 28, 2015
November 26, 2015
We are approaching one hundred signatures and need to hit this threshold before the planning board review stage begins. Please direct your contacts to this page immediately so we can present a unified position to the college administration.
122 Comments
It is not just Southworth that is affected by these buildings. The new library blazes through the night like an airport terminal. Young children can now play 24/7 in my yard. Apparently the building was designed to be a "beacon of light" for the entire campus. Is light pollution not the right kind of "green"?
In addition to the disruption of the residential area, adding traffic to this four-way intersection will add to the challenge for pedestrians (cars rarely stop for the Main St. crosswalk) and for cars either turning up the hill eastward across the intersection.
The site of the old town garage on Water Street is very close to the museum and not attractive. A well designed building on that site could enhance Water Street. It could help the businesses that are currently on the street.
Southworth Street is the street which children in elementary school walk on when they go to school. It is a safe street right now. The museum on that street will change that. There will be more pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Williams should keep the safety of the youngest members of our community a priority.
I would prefer that we not lose those houses as a nice transition to the residential area of town adjacent to the college. Additionally, those are beautiful old homes that are part of the architectural history of Williamstown.
67 cummings ave
A double standard has been in play for too long.
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Williams College has confirmed the proposed art museum will not be located on Southworth Street. We will monitor the college planning committee to ensure this commitment regarding the site remains final.
February 25, 2016
Final supporters
UPDATE:
Williams College has decided to explore other potential sites for this project. The proposed new art museum will not be located on Southworth St. Thank you to all those who expressed their interest in this community effort. And thank you Williams College representatives for hearing the concerns of your neighbors. (Posted January 11, 2015)
Background:
Williams College is exploring the possibility of building a new college arts complex to house the WCMA art collection and galleries, faculty offices, administrative offices, meeting spaces, viewing rooms, a potential cafe, and other associated spaces. The site currently under consideration for this project is located at the northwest corner of Southworth St. and Main St. in Williamstown. The site is owned by Williams College where historic houses have been converted to college office and residential buildings. Some or all (as many as 4) of these properties would be removed if this project goes forward.
The size of the new building has not yet been determined, but to meet the needs of the Williams College Museum of Art and the Art Department it would need to be significantly larger than the buildings located on that site today.
The proposed building site is zoned General Residence District 2. General Residence District 2 is similar but more restrictive than General Residence District 1. District 1 is described in the Town's zoning bylaws as follows: “This zoning designation is intended to provide an area in the Town where people can live who prefer not to live in a rural or semi rural atmosphere, or who prefer not to live in a sparsely populated area, and to provide this area in such a manner and location that the character of the Town will not be destroyed."
Educational institutions are exempt from complying with this zoning regulation and, legally, are permitted to build on residential sites. However, Williams College will have to comply with other zoning/building requirements, such as building height and setbacks. They may have to apply for a variance depending upon the size of the proposed construction.
The Williams College Art Museum will attract visitors to view its collections and participate in a variety of events year round, both during the day and in the evenings. Inevitability, this will result in increased vehicular traffic and parking on Southworth St. even if the parking lot is located behind the building accessed from Main St., an idea that Williams is exploring. Lighting will be installed on the exterior of the building, as required by building code, further increasing the nighttime light pollution on this street which has already been impacted by the college library.
The Petition:
We, the signatories, oppose the construction of the art museum and its associated offices and other facilities on the northwest corner of Southworth Street and Main Street.
Southworth St. is a quintessential New England street that in many ways defines our town. Southworth St. is lined with old New England homes and is a significant pedestrian walkway for families and children going to the elementary school, dog walkers, and other residents heading to work or out for a stroll.
The quiet, people-friendly nature and scale of this street will be greatly diminished by a building of this type.
We are supportive of the college efforts to update and expand its arts related educational program, but we urge that an alternative, more appropriate, site be chosen. One that is, for example, closer to the interior of campus or in the town's designated village business district.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
December 3, 2015
Reached 100 supporters
November 28, 2015
November 26, 2015
We are approaching one hundred signatures and need to hit this threshold before the planning board review stage begins. Please direct your contacts to this page immediately so we can present a unified position to the college administration.
122 Comments
Even though we are townies with no affiliation with the college, we recognize its place and importance in the life of our town. However we deplore its facility to expand without regards to the common people who live here and support the town by paying our taxes which educational entities and churches do not pay.
It is not just Southworth that is affected by these buildings. The new library blazes through the night like an airport terminal. Young children can now play 24/7 in my yard. Apparently the building was designed to be a "beacon of light" for the entire campus. Is light pollution not the right kind of "green"?
In addition to the disruption of the residential area, adding traffic to this four-way intersection will add to the challenge for pedestrians (cars rarely stop for the Main St. crosswalk) and for cars either turning up the hill eastward across the intersection.
The site of the old town garage on Water Street is very close to the museum and not attractive. A well designed building on that site could enhance Water Street. It could help the businesses that are currently on the street.
Southworth Street is the street which children in elementary school walk on when they go to school. It is a safe street right now. The museum on that street will change that. There will be more pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Williams should keep the safety of the youngest members of our community a priority.
I would prefer that we not lose those houses as a nice transition to the residential area of town adjacent to the college. Additionally, those are beautiful old homes that are part of the architectural history of Williamstown.
67 cummings ave
A double standard has been in play for too long.
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Even though we are townies with no affiliation with the college, we recognize its place and importance in the life of our town. However we deplore its facility to expand without regards to the common people who live here and support the town by paying our taxes which educational entities and churches do not pay.