Seeds Of Vast Industrial Development Planted-July 10, 1973

Construction site of Oakvale Mall in 1972 with workers, scaffolding, crane, dump truck, and escalators

On July 10, 1973, the industrial committee in Norwood underwent a significant reorganization, appointing local developer Robert L. Rizzo as chairman and establishing a five-member steering committee to promote business and industry within the town.

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The committee’s primary focus was to advance a plan for “garden-type industrial development” on a large parcel of land stretching from Route 1 south of Dean Street back to Route I-95, bounded by the Sharon town line.

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The committee members recognized that their primary obstacle involved navigating “new environmental laws,” specifically the Inland Wetlands Act, as the area under consideration was classified as wetlands. Committee members Albert P. Nelson and A. Franklin Swift Jr. reported that they had already investigated potential outside funding, noting that $11,000 in matching funds might be available from the county. Mr. Nelson also discussed the possibility of hiring the engineering firm Fay, Spofford and Thorndike, with vice president William L. Hyland estimating the cost of a formal study at $22,000, plus an additional $18,000 for an environmental impact statement and promotional materials.

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A major parcel within the target area is the Norwood Arena, which the owners had already petitioned to rezone for a shopping center and 600 apartments. The committee planned to discuss the development at the next meeting of the Norfolk County Commissioners and intended to seek cooperation from Sharon officials if the plan progressed.

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

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