Hold Hearing On Simoni’s Proposed Shopping Center-This Day In Norwood History-September 12, 1963

NORWOOD PLAZA shopping center which John P. Alevizos proposes to build on Walpole Street near Wilson Street. Board of Appeals decision on the application is expected soon.

Frank R. Simoni’s reactivated 5-year-old plan for a shopping center on Walpole Street near Wilson Street ran into some opposition by residents of Wilson Street and Walpole Street at Monday night’s public hearing before the Norwood Planning Board.

One woman expressed the other’s objections “on general principles” and only two residents of Walpole Street complained of increased traffic. Thomas Lee, Manager of The Wings which would abut the shopping center, spoke in favor of the rezoning of about 8 acres of land owned by Simoni. Simoni’s petition requests a change from Single Residence to Business Zone to develop the property.

Simoni outlined the plans which he said would be similar to the Highland Plaza Shopping Center he developed on Route 37 in Holbrook, Mass. He said the center would be relatively small with a supermarket, a cleaning establishment, possibly a beauty shop, a baker, a children’s clothing store and probably a drug store. He said that a recent meeting of about 90 members of the Rustic Acres Association indicated almost unanimous approval of the shopping center.

Mr. Simoni introduced Frank Bowen who represents “Almacs” which he said was a family-owned chain of 25 large supermarkets. Bowen said they have 20 stores in Rhode Island and others in Brockton, South Attleboro, Seekonk, and New Bedford. Bowen said they were desirous of locating in the Town of Norwood. He said based upon the quality of people in the area he felt that his type of supermarket would be desired in the area. Bowen said that if the other shop-pig center proposed to the Board of Appeals were approved, his company would not be interested in locating in the area.

The total building coverage would be about 32,000 square feet with about 25,000 for the supermarket. Approximately 200 parking spaces would be provided for shoppers. Six of the dozen people in attending recorded themselves opposed to the rezoning with only two questioning the trafic problem. The Planning Board took the matter under advisement and make their recommendation at a later date.