Developer of Danvers Liberty Tree Mall Proposes 25-Acre Shopping Center at Route 1 and Union Street-October 25, 1977

State Properties of New England Negotiating Option on Zoppo Land

Following previous stalled efforts by other developers, a new commercial retail project is on the horizon for Norwood. State Properties of New England—the Newton-based firm renowned for developing the Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers, the Newton at 128 Industrial Park near the Needham line, and the new mall in Manchester, New Hampshire—is currently negotiating an option agreement to acquire a 25-acre commercial parcel at the corner of Route 1 and Union Street.

According to Thomas A. Walsh, senior vice president of Boston real estate brokerage firm The Codman Company, the option agreement is expected to be finalized within two weeks. While Walsh declined to disclose exact financial terms, he noted that the land is valued in excess of $1 million, following an asking price of $50,000 per acre set several months prior. The property is owned by William and Thomas Zoppo.

The site was previously eyed by the Lanning Corp. for an innovative specialty shop center, but that proposal collapsed due to a prolonged standoff with state public works officials regarding median highway access and objections from neighboring Walpole.

Proposed Design and Favorable Local Reception

Represented by spokesperson Richard Prince, State Properties held an unpublicized, informal meeting last week with Town Manager John P. Mogan and Industrial Development Commission Chairman A. Franklin Swift. Swift expressed strong local support following the briefing, noting that the commission views the proposal favorably due to the substantial tax revenue and new employment opportunities it would bring to Norwood.

State Properties envisions a 200,000-square-foot shopping center modeled after the Walpole Mall, anchored by one or two major department stores. To circumvent past political and logistical hurdles with neighboring Walpole—whose officials previously balked at bearing mall traffic burdens on Union Street without receiving direct tax benefits—State Properties has strategically incorporated an abutting four-acre parcel fronting Union Street that lies within Walpole. The developer plans to utilize this secondary parcel for complementary office use, ensuring Walpole receives municipal tax revenue.

Navigating State DPW and Traffic Access Challenges

While the project holds immense economic promise, State Properties must still secure formal local and state approvals. The firm will be required to apply for special retail permits on the manufacturing-zoned site—reusing zoning permissions originally granted to the Lanning Corp.

Furthermore, the developer must resolve critical traffic access challenges. While the Newton firm anticipates designing entry and exit lanes along Union Street, the project hinges on obtaining formal permission from the state Department of Public Works (DPW) to establish a direct highway entrance and exit on Route 1. State Properties has not yet approached Norwood town boards formally, but initial discussions signal strong municipal momentum for the commercial expansion.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger