It's considered a big step forward in the plan to bring a new Whole Foods grocery store to Amherst. Town Supervisor Barry Weinstein tells 7EWN that the developer in charge of the $6 million project has officially applied for a building permit.
The permit cost $70,000 and is a sign that WS Development is ready to move forward with the project. "We are excited and ready to go." said Andrew Manning who is in charge of the project for WS Development. Manning says he will now work with town officials to review the permit application in a process that is expected to take "weeks".
Once the review has been completed and things are fully approved Manning hopes that construction begins in May. The shell of the building is expected to take up to six months. Whole Foods would then take over the project where its expected that another 9-11 months will be needed to complete the interior of the building. Mid 2017 is the goal for an opening date for the store.
The original hope was that construction would begin last fall but the work schedule was shifted to avoid potential winter weather.
