Belmont Council approves RFP to guide development of Stowe property

The Belmont City Council voted to approve a request for proposals for professional advisory services to guide long‑term planning for the roughly 11‑acre Stowe property the city recently acquired in downtown Belmont.

Kevin, a city staff member who presented the proposal, told the council the RFP asks potential consultants to deliver an existing‑conditions assessment, a market and highest‑and‑best‑use analysis, at least three conceptual development scenarios, a financial feasibility analysis, public engagement as needed, recommended development and disposition strategies, and an implementation roadmap. "Staff recommends the real estate advisory approach because it begins with the city's long term interest in mind," Kevin said.

The staff memo compared three approaches — hiring a developer, hiring an architect/land planner, or hiring a real‑estate development advisory firm — and recommended the advisory approach so the work remains grounded in financial feasibility and multidisciplinary technical expertise. Kevin emphasized the RFP will not commit the city to any particular plan or construction: "Executing this does not commit you to a thing; it just gives the council the information needed to make those decisions later," he said.

Council members asked about schedule and next steps. Kevin said staff would advertise the RFP, expect proposals in late August, select a consultant in September and return to council to approve a contract. The motion to approve the RFP and authorize staff to advertise and begin consultant selection was recorded in the meeting as "Motion by Jim," seconded by Mark, and passed by voice vote.

The RFP approval advances a planning step; the council did not authorize construction funding, capital commitments, or a preferred developer. Any project on the Stowe property will require subsequent council approvals and identification of funding sources.