A Writer’s Observation: Is Downtown Holliston Becoming a Ghost Town?
To the casual observer, the quantity of For Sale and For Lease signs displayed downtown is obvious. Could it be the town’s high rental fees and/or high tax rates keep companies from doing business downtown?
A recent Patch article ranking Massachusetts’ towns’ tax rates from low to high listed Holliston’s tax rate as 290th out of 351 cities and towns. Other area towns were ranked as follows: Sherborn 305th, Millis 289th, Hopedale 254th, Milford 212th, Medway 226th, Hopkinton 237th, and Ashland at 197th. (For the entire state list click here: https://patch.com/massachusetts/boston/ma-residential-property-tax-rates-each-community.)
At one time, Yankee Magazine noted that Holliston had one of the most beautiful main streets and downtown areas–comparable only to Newburyport. Newcomers often cite Holliston’s quaint New England village-like downtown as one of the reasons they moved here.
Holliston’s image is not far removed from 1890’s photos with a few subtle changes over the past century. Perhaps the lack of significant change is due to the lack of municipal sewage, although the town had envisioned completing such a system not so many years ago.
The lack of sewage treatment on small lots limits expansion/tear down/rebuilding possibilities. Additionally impactful, newer regulations such as Title 5 dictates septic disposal.
Local officials have various opinions about downtown issues. Select Board member Tina Hein said there has been an increase in the number of trucks through downtown streets. She hopes town boards and committees can create a united effort to solve downtown problems.
Assessor Mary Greendale told the Reporter she believes empty storefronts are a cyclical issue. “To create a viable retail climate, merchants must provide services and products not found elsewhere,” Greendale explained. “More people are shopping online.”
Select Board Chair Mark Ahronian said that while the town has done a good job preserving open space, more expensive available and buildable land results. Ahronian believes some downtown landlords take advantage of the times, and charge exorbitant rents for downtown locations. “Its just too much.”
Select Board member John Cronin said, “We have a group working to resolve the eyesore at 9 Green Street. We just signed a contract with a firm to perform environmental work to allow us to take the next steps to redevelop the property: these could include razing the building and providing new and convenient downtown parking for folks to easily navigate the park, playground, Fiskes, Superette, the Library and other downtown locations.” Cronin also mentioned the new parking spaces that will be created behind Casey’s on Railroad Street.
Additionally, the Town will redevelop the stretch of land behind Casey’s this year due to a state grant received to improve the space and parking. And we expect to hear from the Blair Square Committee on the redevelopment of Blair Square.
The Gulf station vacancy continues to be a challenge. Its owner (as well as the owner of the space next to Cumberland Farms across from Bertucci’s) appears content to leave vacant property unchanged. Of note, some members of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) have contacted both owners.
Peter Barbieri, in one of his many roles in serving the town as an assessor, member of the Blair Square Study Group, and Chairman of the EDC (Economic Development Committee), sees no rationale explaining empty storefronts downtown. Barbieri underscored the rail trail location and its [previously mentioned] parking space creation behind Casey’s and at 9 Green Street as way to help business owners attract customers.
What are your thoughts about downtown issues?
17 Comments
I’m “all-in” supportive on Holliston and it’s Holliston customers! I’m buying the Winthrop St building with the front row seat to the NEW Blair Square… thinking about what we can put in over there…
Ed that’s fantastic! The location is ideal with the rail trail right there and schools right down the street. So many possibilities.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could have a new children’s library, a tennis/swim club, a space for an art program! I’ve been thinking about this as I see all of these for sale and lease signs.
Great article.
Why not lease/buy one of the adjacent buildings to the library for a children’s center?
Also some sort of local sewer system to allow more restaurants downtown? Just look how Hudson has revitalized its downtown.
I love Holliston’s downtown.
The lights and loss of parking represent a significant blunder that bears mention.
I don’t feel any safer on foot or in a vehicle.
Certainly our companies vehicles contribute to traffic but our people transact and live in the Comunity as well as provide service to the community.
I learned on January 1 that the building housing my store is for sale. I was told that if it was someone who wants to be a landlord, my lease will transfer. Clearly, however, the listing is trying to entice a developer with the five acre parcel attached to the Fiske House. If that is the case, I was told the lease would be bought out. I have my good days and hard days when I think about Kamala Boutique forced into homelessness. If this had all happened two years ago, I would have been ALL OVER the TD Bank building! I have wished for that place since I was a little girl, with many creative thoughts apparently. 🙂 But now I am locked into a lease, precarious as it is.
It is mystery as to the high vacancy rate. I do agree however, high rents and aging buildings can be quite challenging to business owners. We often have to ‘make do’ while the rents increase each year. The question is, can the small businesses who are here, survive and wait it out while we wait for the upward shift? Sad downtown vibes make people want to go elsewhere, which adds to the ghost town chills.
High rent fees and low tax assessments on the commercial parcels . If these parcels of land (value) are under-assessed, the owners can afford to hold the property underutilized and vacant of tenants because the market value of that land parcel keeps on appreciating each year faster than the tax bill. Eventually the present tenants will get fatigued and more spaces will be vacated and then the owner of the land can cash in
It sickens me to think that 747 Washington is now in danger of being torn down for something like a Dunkin Donuts. These historic buildings, literally the centerpiece of our beautiful downtown, should be protected, in my opinion.
As a downtown business owner (Janines Jewelry) I am observing all of this. People don’t know that 841 Washington Street has a few parking spaces behind it that I share with tenants and Holliston Eye Doctors.
Unfortunately my foot traffic has slowed as the downtown light traffic pics up. I wish people would do a Holliston Boutique Crawl, I know there have been some events that are like that and they are fun!
We really need to be mindful of where we shop. As I have said before, buying something at a local shop not only gives back to the community but it could pay for a teen’s college tuition, medical bills, groceries etc.
I am dismayed about the Gulf station building. It’s a disgrace. Why isn’t the town allowed to take it by eminent domain again?
Non-synchronized lights and lack of parking make downtown Holliston a place to avoid. It’s a shame for the merchants. Some truly great stores and owners must be feeling the pinch. I’m certainly spending less time and $$ there.
As a resident of Holliston since 1979, I have learned to just take the changes in this town and go on with my life. I cannot change the economic forces and greed of people. I’m just happy that I can still live here and can remember better times.