Erving Select Board adopts UMass visioning plan as grant application foundation

ERVING -- April 29, 2020, Erving Select Board receives an 86-page UMass architecture studio plan envisioning a revamped Erving Center. Professor Erika Zikas and a group of graduating UMass Amherst architecture seniors presented proposals covering Route 2 pedestrian crossings with rectangular rapid-flashing beacons, mixed-use bike and pedestrian lanes, two new bus shelters, visitor information center and museum conversions for the Pearl B. Carr building, and multiple adaptive reuse designs for the Usher Mill on Riverfront Park. Town Planner Mariah Kurtz, who coordinated the collaboration, said the report will be posted to the town website and used to anchor future grant applications, noting a prior Hanson Court green space grant had been unsuccessful. Board Chair Jacob Smith called the document "a foundation to delivering what we need in a grant application." The board also voted unanimously to extend Erving's local COVID-19 directives to May 18, aligning with Governor Baker's updated state order.