Framingham Buying Belknap Property: Final Council Vote Set

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Framingham City Council on Tuesday will potentially take a second and final vote to buy the former Belknap Pool and Tennis Club for $362,000.

The Council gave initial approval to the purchase at a July 22 meeting in a 7 to 4 vote. The City Charter requires a second vote on the purchase before the move can be finalized.

District 3 Councilor Adam Steiner this spring proposed buying the 6-acre parcel, which is located in the northeast section of Framingham near the intersection of Knight and Belknap roads. The facility opened in the late 1950s and closed in 2018. Steiner has advocated for the purchase, saying the land could be used as a new city park, or at minimum as a block of open space — nearby residents already use trails at the site.

A Natick developer had wanted to buy the property earlier this year, potentially to construct one or more new homes. But Framingham has the right of first refusal because the club is classified under state law as recreational land.

Although a majority of the Council voted for the purchase in July, the proposal has been strongly opposed by some Councilors who don't like that there's no specific plan in place for the land. In June, a majority of the Council voted to table — or pause — discussions on the purchase.

Steiner has said some ideas for the property include building a ropes course, community gardens and renting out the property to a company to operate a camp — but that ultimately a final use would be part of a public process. District 6 Councilor Philip Ottaviani has said, at worst, the city could probably sell the parcel for a profit if it becomes a burden.