Developer seeks to demolish former Kmart at 2201 Northampton Street; committee advances proposal to full council

Attorney Daniel Glissman told the Development and Government Relations Committee that Cypress Acquisitions LLC seeks a special permit to demolish a preexisting nonconforming building at 2201 Northampton Street (the vacant former Kmart) and that any future development would comply with current zoning.

Don Bavier of Cypress Equities, the project principal in the meeting, said his firm aims to acquire the parcel, demolish the existing structure and redevelop the site with a new retail center anchored by a major tenant. Glissman described the plan as a multimillion‑dollar investment intended to improve site safety and neighborhood aesthetics. He said demolition could begin in December, subject to approvals, with a 60‑day demolition window and subsequent site‑plan review and permitting steps.

Committee members asked whether the applicant planned to acquire adjacent retail property; Bavier said the applicant had reached a preliminary agreement in principle with the neighbor and hoped to combine parcels for a single redevelopment. When asked about size, the applicant said the existing Kmart footprint and associated parcels account for "over 350,000 square feet"; Glissman said he would provide precise acreage and square‑foot figures in follow-up materials.

After questions and supportive comments from several councilors, the committee closed the hearing and voted to forward the application to the full City Council for final action, noting that additional approvals (site plan, signage, construction permits) will be required before redevelopment proceeds.