Linear seeks to acquire $200 million of "convenience-oriented"retail real estate by 2006. The company purchased three shoppingcenters totaling $14 million since its inception in 2003: CentreStreet Village in Danvers; Flint Village Plaza in Fall River; andRK Plaza in Dracut.

Targeted acquisitions include smaller "unanchored" retailproperties ranging from fully-stabilized shopping centers andfreestanding stores to retail sites in need of completeredevelopment. Individual investments will typically range from aminimum of $1 million up to $15 million. Portfolio purchases arealso being actively pursued by the company.

Linear was launched in September 2003 as Pivotal Properties byBeckeman in partnership with Principal Enterprise Capital, asubsidiary of Des Moines-based Principal Financial Group. The firmfocuses on the acquisition, operation and repositioning ofconvenience-oriented retail properties in Eastern Massachusetts andSouthern New Hampshire.