WEST BOYLSTON, MA-In a deal that is indicative of investors' current interest in area retail centers, Surabian Realty Co. acquires Wachusett Plaza, a 106,036-sf retail shopping center located that is 62% occupied, for $3.5 million.

WESTBOROUGH, MA-Carlin, Charron & Rosen, one of the area's largest regional accounting firms, signs a 10-year lease at 1400 Computer Dr. The deal represents a consolidation as the firm plans to relocate its Worcester and Newton offices.

WORCESTER, MA-SelectX Pharmaceuticals leases 9,506 sf at One Innovation Dr. in the Massachusetts Biotech Research Park, a master-planned park that has nearly a million sf of building space on 105 acres and is home to over a dozen biotech companies.

NATICK, MA-Beantan LLC, the New England region's franchise owners for Hollywood Tans, entered the area last year with one store in Saugus and plans to have 30 stores in the region by 2006.

FALL RIVER, MA-Pivotal Properties LLC purchases Flint Village Plaza, a 45,000 sf strip center for $4.7 million from Flint Village LLC. Pivotal says it is the first in a series of retail properties it is looking to acquire in the area.

WILMINGTON, MA-In a deal that is indicative of the current tenant's market, Champion Window leases 11,600 sf at 230 Ballardvale St. The company is relocating and expanding its showroom warehouse from Billerica.

BOSTON-The Big Dig is just about over, but the fighting is just beginning. At issue is the parkland--especially the 30 acres of prime real estate in the heart of the city--that was created as the project put the city's central artery underground.

WORCESTER, MA-Barnes & Noble Inc. opens a 25,000-sf bookstore in Lincoln Plaza at 541 D Lincoln St. The retail center is in the process of being renovated and will ultimately consist of 600,000-sf of retail space on its 45-acre site.