Framingham Will Conduct $250K Economic Development Study

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham has identified a firm to conduct an economic development study during the apartment moratorium approved by City Council in 2020.

Supporters of the moratorium had said the nine-month pause on new permits for multifamily developments should be used to study the impact of apartments on the city — but also to develop a larger economic development strategy for the future of the city.

In late 2020, the city solicited bids for a firm to conduct the study. The Boston-based firm RKG Associates was selected as the winning bidder for the $250,000 study. RKG previously conducted an economic development analysis of the downtown Framingham area that led to the construction of new multifamily developments.

Related: Framingham's 'Scarlet M' Finalized By City Council

District 1 Councilor Christine Long's s Planning and Zoning subcommittee has been meeting with the city Planning and Community Development Division in recent months to shape the new economic development study, according to a memo from Economic Development Director Kevin Shea.

Mayor Yvonne Spicer has formally asked the City Council to take $250,000 from the city's free cash fund to pay for the study. The Council unanimously approved the expenditure at Tuesday's meeting.