Belmont Center Proposition

By: Anita Liberty

The grassy quad in town enclosed by overpriced boutiques, cafés, and pizza shops is affectionately referred to by locals as “The Center.” I’ve spent countless hours and dollars here, whether perusing the bookstore or working my part-time job. However, in recent years, The Center has become a ghost town. The CVS that supplied me with candy throughout middle school has stood empty for almost three years now. My former employers closed their family-run beer cellar over a year ago, and no new business has sprung up in its place. In 2024, nearly one in three stores in The Center stood vacant. At large town events, such as our annual Christmas tree lighting, a handful of vendors struggle to keep up with the demand for food, drinks, and entertainment. Despite steadily increasing rates of new families moving in, The Center is quieter now than during the pandemic. 

The reason? Landlord monopolization and zoning restrictions. 

The Center’s small footprint is almost entirely controlled by one company: Locatelli Properties. For decades, Locatelli has leveraged its real estate power to substantially increase tenants' rents a few years into their contracts. This practice has led to a business exodus from the Center, as small establishments struggle to make rent each month. While packing their moving vans, my former employers told staff that they would love to stay in town but could not afford the 5x increase in rent. Even worse, Locatelli has used its power to block zoning amendments for vertical expansion—adding housing and commercial units above existing businesses—arguing that these modifications would compromise the town’s “historic character.”

This crisis cannot be ignored and demands urgent action. The longer these storefronts remain vacant, the heavier the financial burden lies on residential taxpayers to make up for lost commercial revenue. As a result, the cost of living continues to rise and middle and working-class families and elders are pushed out of town. This economic cycle is perpetuated by a lack of organizational change that is characterized by the town’s frequent and continuous tax overrides.

If given the chance to present a business plan to my local Select Board, I would advocate for the complete physical restructuring of The Center to increase foot traffic and renter autonomy. I would propose converting a neighboring parking lot into commercial spaces for both permanent and pop-up businesses, fostering retail diversity to attract shoppers from nearby towns. New enterprises such as athletic stores and movie theatres would capture the teenage market demographic, allowing The Center to meet the multi-generational needs of the community. Additionally, I would push for high-vacancy taxes on empty storefronts, motivating property owners to lease or develop their spaces rather than let them sit empty. These measures would empower tenants in lease negotiations and reduce exploitative rent practices. 

The Center has been a cornerstone of my experience growing up in a small town. In amending its design, I don't intend to erase its historic character but rather to ensure its economic future for generations to come.