Somerville city officials are working to address the growing challenge of long-vacant commercial properties in the densely populated Massachusetts city, with a focus on encouraging productive use rather than imposing punitive measures. The issue gained attention recently at the site of the Biscuit, a once-popular bakery located at the corner of Beacon and Washington streets that has remained empty since 2019 after the landlord declined to renew the lease.

Mayor Jake Wilson highlighted the impact of such vacancies on the city’s vibrancy, noting that Beacon Street is among the busiest bike corridors in the state, and a prominent empty storefront undermines community goals. He emphasized that although property owners have the legal right to keep spaces unused, the city prioritizes finding cooperative solutions to activate these assets.

Vacant commercial spaces are not unique to Somerville; similar challenges exist throughout Greater Boston. Yet, city officials say that Somerville’s high density and unique character make such gaps more noticeable and potentially harmful to neighborhood dynamics. Rather than relying on restrictive policies—which state law often limits, and which have been difficult to enforce due to limited city resources—Somerville employs what it calls a “concierge approach” to facilitate matches between property owners and prospective tenants.

Economic development officials, including Dana Whiteside, describe the city’s role as a mediator that seeks to understand the specific circumstances behind each vacancy. These can range from straightforward tenant transitions to complicated ownership issues or speculative holding of property without leasing interest. The city works to address practical impediments such as permit or zoning hurdles and offers assistance where possible.

Tom Galligani, Somerville’s chief of development, cited Federal Realty Investment Trust as an example of a landlord actively managing vacancies, particularly in large-scale projects like Assembly Row. However, smaller or more complex properties can remain empty longer, prompting concern once vacancies extend beyond one to two years.

The city remains open to a variety of options to encourage occupancy, including willingness from the mayor and City Council to consider short-term tax concessions for longer-term economic benefits. Success stories include the opening of Wildgrain Bakehouse’s bakery café in March after the city connected the bakery with space and assisted with permitting, as well as a pop-up art gallery that utilized a former Starbucks location in Davis Square.

Despite these efforts, some properties have remained dormant for years due to unresolved ownership disputes. The Biscuit’s closure followed a complex situation involving the Dewire family trust, which owned the building. Andrew Platt, who opened the bakery with his wife Greta in 2004 and operated it successfully through economic downturns, said the family trust declined to renew the lease without clear explanation. Legal documents and family-related probate court proceedings have complicated resolution, and attempts to gain comment from the Dewire family or their legal representatives have been unsuccessful.

While the Platts have moved on, they frequently pass by the static storefront, which still displays the bakery’s original menu and pricing. The ongoing vacancy exemplifies the challenges faced by Somerville as it balances private property rights with community interests in fostering active, vibrant commercial corridors. City leaders maintain that no option is off the table, continuing to seek ways to reactivate underutilized spaces and support neighborhood vitality.