Local Opposition Prevents Development

WAKEFIELD, MA-A group of local activists have blocked the development of one of the last few remaining parcels of lakefront property here. The group raised over $1.2 million to develop a park on the site instead.

The activism of the community began when the Beal Companies, a Boston-based real estate firm bought an acre parcel on Lake Quannapowitt from the American Mutual Companies, after the insurance company went bankrupt twelve years ago. Beal wanted to build a building on the site but met with fierce opposition from local activists who formed a political group that began to negotiate with Beal over its plan for the shoreline site.