Prime Northampton real estate that has the potential to improve the entire community isn’t available for development very often.

In 2010, the decision to relocate Kollmorgen (now L3 Harris) to the former State Hospital grounds prevented the South Campus at Village Hill from becoming the mixed-use neighborhood it was intended to be. This property could have been more than an industrial park — the decision did not support the goals of the Village Hill Master Plan nor the community in which it was located.

Today, a prime piece of Northampton property on King Street is at risk of being used in a way that doesn’t align with the city’s vision. The Central Business-Gateway District has the potential to help the city meet the objectives outlined in the Sustainable Northampton Plan. The plan prioritizes equity, resilience and regeneration, open space and recreation, bicycles and pedestrians, heritage conservation, and affordable and attainable housing.

The future use of the King Street property will have lasting impact on our community. Now is the time to align the zoning in the Gateway District with the Sustainable Northampton Plan to meet our long-term goals. An important first step is to support the amendment to change the zoning in the Gateway District to no longer allow automobile sales. A car dealership doesn’t belong in any part of the Gateway District.

Let’s take this opportunity to make decisions that uphold the Northampton we envision and start acting on those shared values and goals.

Martha Ebner

Northampton