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Plan calls for turning former country club into $238 million 'neighborhood'

Chris Caya/WBFO News

The Westwood Country Club in Amherst could be the site of what is being called a "new traditional neighborhood." The property at Sheridan Drive and North Forest Road is owned by Mensch Capital Partners. Managing Partner Andrew Shaevel says plans include a mix of hundreds of residential units, retail space, a small hotel and green space.

Shaevel says the $238 million project is an example of "smart growth."

"It is really hand and glove and in sync with the town's own master plan," Shaevel said.

Shaevel says the country club is no longer economically viable and the so-called "Westwood Neighborhood" would generate about $58 million in tax revenue for the town, two times the cost of services.

Shaevel's partners include developers Mark Hamister, Paul Ciminelli and Paul Kolkmeyer. Shaevel says the project does not require state or local incentives.

A rezoning proposal was submitted to Amherst officials on Thursday. Shaevel says the process could take more than a year to complete.

If approved, the earliest construction could begin is in the spring of 2016.