ATTLEBORO - Developers hope to build a pharmacy, two restaurants and a bank on a five-acre South Attleboro parcel that's been a weed-infested dust bowl since a local businessman gave up plans to build an auto dealership on the site after fighting stiff neighborhood opposition and a federal lawsuit from a competitor.

The Richmond Co. Inc. out of Wilmington has filed plans in city hall detailing its aim to build a Walgreens pharmacy on the corner of Newport Avenue and Route 1A as the first phase of a two-phase project.

Roberts Tuxedos, which occupies a sliver of the corner at Newport Avenue, would be razed, but the business would remain on the parcel in a new building next to Walgreens.

The first phase is expected to cost $5 million and be complete by November, according to documents on file.

Full buildout of the lot could take five years, the documents said. The second phase would include construction of a bank on the corner of Angeline Street and Newport as well as the construction of two restaurants on Angeline.

Names of the businesses have not been announced.

Seven years ago Gerry Vachon, who owns most of property under G.M.Vachon Realty LLC, hoped to build a gleaming, state-of-the-art auto dealership on the site, but residents on Newport and Angeline put up fierce opposition to the plan they argued would bring the bustling commerce of Route 1A and Route 1 into their neighborhoods.

While the dealership was allowed by right, as is the current proposal, Vachon spent months in negotiations with residents trying to come up with plan to appease them.

Meanwhile, a Pawtucket auto dealer on Route 1 sued Vachon and General Motors, arguing that the businesses would infringe on his sales territory with the new location.

Vachon won the case, but appeals were filed. Residents filed their own lawsuit on a separate matter, and Vachon, who at the time was fighting health problems, gave up his plan.

The Walgreens would include a 12,528-square-foot building with a 3,500-square-foot mezzanine.

Roberts Tuxedos would be located in a 2,000-square-foot building next to the pharmacy. A scuba shop next to Roberts has moved.

The pharmacy project needs special permits from the zoning board for a driveup window, a reduction of parking spaces and earth removal. A public hearing will be held next month.

According to plans, developers will seek entrances on Route 1A, Newport and Angeline. Six years ago residents vehemently opposed entrances on Angeline and Newport.

Since then Hearth and Kettle Restaurant, located on Route 1 and Angeline has gotten an entrance on Angeline. The entrance is allowed by right, but developers agreed not to build it when the restaurant was being proposed to mollify residents.

GEORGE W. RHODES can be reached at 508-236-0432 or at grhodes@thesunchronicle.com.