His group is frantically trying to put a halt to such renovation plans. At the Cambridge Historical Commission meeting last May, Save the Square members protested the demolition of certain buildings they believed to have historic value.

If a building were built more than 50 years ago, the commission must issue a permit before it can be demolished, Liza Malenfant Paden, assistant land use planner of the Cambridge Development Department, said.

Three businesses fit this category: Emily Rose women's clothing has stood there for 58 years, Irving's Shoes for 75 and Surman's Men's Wear for 80, according to a press release sent out by Save Central Square.

Furthermore, Hoicka said, the CVS Drugstore located on Mass Ave. has a marble fecade with ornate detail that near by residents wished to preserve.

According to the Boston Phoenix, Holmes Realty Trust has already offered retail space in the new complex to all of the longtime tenants, as well as to Wiener's Discount Tobacco Dealer and the Ethiopian Restaurant on Mass. Ave.

But unless the company's development plans fall through, the majority of the other stores here will be displaced.

Cambridge Historic Commission Director Charles M. Sullivan said he supported the impending demolition as "a natural progression of change" because "the stores were no longer serving the communities around it."

"People who live in Central Square miss the chance of going to shopping malls and having a selection of clothing," he said. "The present retail mix is quite limited, and it's not a healthy neighborhood shopping area."

Hoicka disagreed, saying the demolition will only limit residents' freedom and access. "There are a lot of senior citizens who shop at the clothing stores there because it's inexpensive and you don't need a car to get there," he said.

Hoicka hopes to get his preservationist stance across at a Cambridge Historic Commission meeting tomorrow, a Cambridge Planning Board meeting on Nov. 18 and a Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeals meeting at a date yet to be determined, all hurdles the Trust must overcome before it can begin construction.

Durant, the manager of Maxi's 99-cent store, said he believes the construction will not only raze buildings but demolish morale as well. Durant said the changes will make minorities feel unwelcome in Central Square.

"It's going to hurt minorities," Durant, who is black, said. "We're not going to be able to shop in Central Square anymore. It's becoming like Harvard Square or Newbury Street."

Brain C. Sullivan, manager of Pearl Art & Craft Supply on 579 Mass. Ave., said he can see both sides of the issue.

"Professionally speaking, I think the Square needs a shot in the arm," he said. "What folks call diverse and unique just means it's run-down. The Square looks like crap."

"[But] personally; it's sad that it took corporate money to do all that," Sullivan added.