DiGiovanni says he encountered such elitism when he tried to develop the site next to Bruegger's Bagels on Mt. Auburn St. in 1992. He had several offers from businesses who wanted the spot, but he eventually tried to place a Dunkin' Donuts franchise owned by a Portuguese man.

"It just was right for the place," DiGiovanni says.

But the defense fund had other ideas. Gifford says fast food places bring "traffic, litter and negative impact on public safety and good." The group had defeated a bid by Boston Chicken to locate a franchise in the Square the year before.

The fund fought DiGiovanni through two long years of appeals to the Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeals. Exhausted, DiGiovanni finally dropped his attempt to locate Dunkin' Donuts in the Square.

"I was prepared to fight to the end," DiGiovanni says, but good business dictated that he retreat.

"I don't want to spend my time fighting the defense fund," DiGiovanni says. "That's bullshit."

But he maintains that the fund's argument against fast food outlets is flawed. He says with fast food available in so many other locations, it is unlikely that outlets will attract new business to the Square.

"There are fast food places in Central Square, Porter Square and across the river," he says. "Who's going to particularly drive in and just get donuts?"

DiGiovanni says he has tried to put the past behind him. He even attempted to join the defense fund.

"I live in the Square and genuinely care about it, so according to their missions statement, I should be allowed to join," DiGiovanni said.

But DiGiovanni charges he was effectively barred from joining by Gifford. He says he was told that he could become a member of the group by donating money, but even then he could not attend meetings.

"I tried to attend their monthly meetings, but they said I couldn't," DiGiovanni says.

The developer says he was told that only those on the board are allowed at the meetings.

"What kind of group is it if members aren't even allowed to sit in on board meetings?" DiGiovanni asks.

The developer also charges that there is a significant discrepancy between the group's goal of diversity for the Square and the reality of its membership.