Framingham Won't Buy Belknap Pool Club Parcel

FRAMINGHAM, MA — A bid to acquire a six-acre parcel in northeast Framingham to preserve as public land died in City Council Tuesday night in a narrow vote.

District 3 Councilor Adam Steiner had proposed the city spend about $362,000 to purchase and secure the former Belknap Pool and Tennis Club. Framingham had the right of first refusal to purchase the property after the club closed. A developer had put in an offer to buy the site to erect one or more homes in late 2020.

"Five years from now, 50 years from now ... we're either going to be driving by another beautiful parcel turned into a McMansion or we're going to be driving by a community resource," Steiner said Tuesday before the vote.

Under city rules, at least eight Councilors would've had to vote in favor of the purchase. But the final vote ended up 7 to 4, with Councilors Christine Long, Michael Cannon, Janet Leombruno and John Stefanini voting "no."

At previous meetings, those Councilors had said they were concerned there wasn't a concrete plan in place for how the former Belknap site would be used. Steiner had previously listed several possible uses for the site, including a day camp and community gardens, but also said a final use would need to go through a public process.

Following the vote on the purchase, the Council voted unanimously voted to give up its right to buy the property.

Previous Belknap purchase coverage:

• Framingham Councilors Mull Purchase Of Belknap Pool, Tennis Club
• New Open Space In Framingham: Council Votes To Pursue Belknap
• Framingham Pauses On Buying Belknap Pool Property