A routine discussion regarding downtown parking conditions during last night’s Board of Selectmen meeting shifted toward urban renewal and the potential creation of an outdoor pedestrian shoppers mall in the uptown business district.
Parking Commissioner Swift opened the topic by expressing growing concern over a rising number of vacant storefronts along Washington Street—tallying nine empty locations at last count. “Have you any idea what can be done up here?” Swift asked, noting that the loss of business establishments along main thoroughfares reflects a nationwide retail trend. He suggested that Norwood, as a relatively young community, might qualify for federal urban renewal funds.
Exploring a Pedestrian Mall Concept
Building on the suggestion, Selectman John A. Abdallah raised the possibility of transforming the uptown area into a dedicated shoppers mall by permanently barring vehicular traffic. Pointing to a successful precedent on Westminster Street in Providence, Rhode Island—which utilized 90 percent federal aid to raise the street to sidewalk level, plant trees, install public settees, and refurbish storefronts—Abdallah suggested that Central Street, which runs parallel to Washington Street, could be adapted as the primary vehicular thoroughfare.
Selectman Joseph F. Curran countered that retail vacancies stemmed from more than just traffic and parking hurdles, arguing that local merchants needed to modernize their business practices. Curran pointed out that most Washington Street stores shut their doors at 6:00 p.m. every night except Friday, whereas suburban shopping centers maintained extended evening hours.
When Selectman Chairman Charles L. Rich inquired whether the parking commission could evaluate the proposal, Swift initially recommended commissioning a professional study. However, he ultimately agreed to have the parking commission compile a preliminary report and present its findings to the board in October.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More Norwood Business History
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New Reliance Electric Service Center-July 17, 1979
Reliance Electric, which services and repairs industrial electric motors, will move its regional service center here from South Boston on Sept. 1. The new facility in a 19,000-square-foot location in the Park Place industrial development off Route 1 will employ some 30 persons, an increase of five over current levels. The company, with headquarters in…
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Analog Devices Plans Major World Headquarters Expansion Into New 33-Acre Norwood Industrial Park-August 23, 1978
Computer equipment giant Analog Devices plans a 50,000-square-foot headquarters facility in a new 33-acre Route 1 industrial park, pending state and local sewer connection approvals.
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Selectmen Support Park Place Industrial Park Owner in Seeking Temporary Portable Toilet Approval-August 9, 1978
Selectmen backed Park Place Industrial Park owner James H. Shane in seeking Board of Health reconsideration for temporary portable toilets amid sewer connection delays.
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John Shalbey Jr. Proposes Office Building Behind Ro-Jo Car Wash-August 9, 1978
Local businessman John Shalbey Jr. faced mixed reactions from David Terrace residents while seeking a zoning variance for an office building behind his Route 1 car wash.
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South End Hardware: A Landmark Institution-July 5, 1978
In 1978, the Abdallah family’s South End Hardware in South Norwood stood as a testament to four generations of community service and local history.
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LaRosa Brothers Step Down from The Village Inn after 15 Years-June 7, 1978
A beloved Guild Square culinary staple prepares for a structural transition as its founding brothers head toward retirement after a 15-year run.
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Kline’s Announces Major Expansion into Woolworth’s Space-September 2, 1977
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Roller Skaters Roll Up $3,200 in 24-Hour Skate-A-Thon for Muscular Dystrophy-August 31, 1977
Endurance, enthusiasm, and a whole lot of wheels came together at Roll-Land as approximately 30 dedicated skaters successfully completed a grueling 24-hour skate-a-thon, raising at least $3,200 for the Jerry Lewis telethon drive in the fight against muscular dystrophy. Marathon Success and Community Spirit Kicking off at 6:00 p.m. Monday, the marathon concluded at approximately…
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Swampland Transformed Into Norwood Country Club Golf Course-August 29, 1975
Following a massive, self-directed engineering and construction effort, the new Norwood Country Club is scheduled to open for play today. Located on land adjacent to Route 1 and the Norwood Airport purchased in 1973 from the Foley family, the regulation golf course represents a triumph over difficult terrain by builder, contractor, designer, and engineer Frank…
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Fate of South Norwood’s Dealers’ Cafe Rests on Upcoming Hearing-August 21, 1975
With the Dealers’ Cafe closed since winter, the state ABCC will review its license status while Norwood Selectman William F. Butters pushes to transfer the permit to Route 1.
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