Last modified: Sunday, August 5, 2007 9:18 AM EDT Barber Lenny Miceli, who has a shop in downtown Canton, says he has yet to see a business boom from a redevelopment project. (Staff photo by MIKE GEORGE) Canton points way on downtown change BY GEORGE W. RHODES SUN CHRONICLE STAFF ATTLEBORO - Plans are in place, and excitement is building about the start of a massive revitalization project for downtown Attleboro, but retailers and residents should be ready for a long road. The planning process, which has encountered virtually no opposition and won wide support, has taken eight years. Nonetheless, tangible results are likely to take much longer. Attleboro Redevelopment Authority officials have said right along that "buildout" could take 20 or more years - and another town's experience confirms that prediction. Canton, about 20 miles up the tracks, was at the point of development 10 years ago that Attleboro is now. That's when the construction of condos got under way in its downtown near the commuter rail station as part of an effort to revitalize its center. Ten years later, at least 159 condos have been built and bought and a $2.6 million streetscape beautification project for the main street is about to get under way. Attleboro is pushing for as many as 300 condos near its commuter rail station, and expects to start Phase I of its own streetscape work in the coming weeks. Canton's streetscape project, which is similar to Attleboro's, will add historical lighting, new sidewalks, trees, traffic islands, sidewalk bumpouts, signs and other features to make its downtown walkable, pretty and pedestrian friendly. But Canton's final transformation and its potential economic prosperity is still years away. And some merchants, who anxiously look at their bottom line daily for signs of improvement, are complaining things aren't moving fast enough. But officials and others say an evolution - if not a revolution - for downtown Canton is well under way. Still, even they acknowledge it will take time. Bob Burr, chairman of the board of selectmen, says the downtown picture is being drastically altered in little bites, day by day, and ultimately will yield benefits for all. "It's definitely a work in progress," Burr said. "But I think 10 years from now, when we're speaking about this, it will be a success." In fact, Burr already sees signs of success. "I base that on the fact that all the condos are sold and that there are several new restaurants downtown and they are doing very well," Burr said. "And I think it's only going to get better with streetscape." Burr said the project doesn't guarantee success for all businesses, but does improve their chances for success. "All we can do is provide the infrastructure so their businesses can thrive," said Burr, who believes his town's effort is well designed. "This is a good plan," he said. Like Attleboro, Canton changed its ordinances to allow downtown residents - especially condo dwellers, who officials believe will double as downtown shoppers. But while people have moved into downtown Canton, that hasn't immediately translated into booming business, some retailers say. The owner of The News Stand and Deli Market, an attractive, well-kept store on Washington Street, the downtown's main street, said he might have to move on after a couple of years of so-so sales. "We get a good lunch crowd, but after 3 p.m. there's no business," owner Camil Khabbaz said. "I can't figure it out. We've tried everything." But he's not giving up - yet. "I'm going to give it another year," he said. And Lenny Miceli, a barber in Hal's Barber Shop, said the arrival of condo dwellers hasn't boosted business for the 40-year-old shop. "Basically, people go to work, and you don't see them," he said. "It's like a bedroom community. Once people leave in the morning, they don't come back until night. It doesn't impact the local merchants the way you'd think." Greg Smith owns a small deli and catering business, Simply Smith's, nearby. A 35-unit condo went up across the street, and he's benefited to a degree, but said he was hoping for more. "It's had somewhat of an impact, but not as much as I thought," said Smith, who's been on Washington Street for four years. Bringing people downtown to live isn't the total solution, he said. "Putting all these people within walking distance isn't the end of the problem," he said. "And just making it pretty isn't going to do it either." He wants to see more parking. And up the street, at Opal Sky, a small gift shop, Diane Manoles agreed that people alone don't equal business. "It hasn't affected business at all," said Manoles, who's owned her shop for seven years. "It's not like business is booming because of it." But Manoles said patience is needed. "Whenever you have something like this, it takes a long time," she said. Building homes downtown is just the beginning of a transformation, she said. People are needed, but the beautification promised by streetscape is crucial, Manoles said. "There's huge potential with that," she said. Longtime Canton resident, downtown booster and property owner Bruce Beckham runs a non-profit organization out of a storefront he owns on Washington Street, and says he knows how long real change takes. While he doesn't need walk-in business, he's pushed for downtown improvements as a property owner for years. Eliminating an ugly web of utility wires and poles was at the top of his list, and that's finally been accomplished. They're all underground now. And now he's looking forward to streetscape. "I think the town's on the edge of a renaissance," he said. "Once streetscape gets under way, I think you'll get more attractive store fronts and stores," Beckham said. "We're just scratching the surface right now." Beckham says residents and retailers need to keep the faith. "You've got to believe," he said. Canton Business Association Co-president Helen McHowell, who runs a beauty shop downtown, is also optimistic. "I have great hopes," she said. "As this thing comes to fruition, we can attract some new stores." Her shop is located on the bottom floor of a 35-unit condo building. There's a new restaurant called Centerfield's next door, and it's doing well. So well, in fact, that condo dwellers and the restaurant have clashed over noise late at night. While negative on the surface, it's really a sign of success and perhaps a growing vitality in place that knew only silence before. While McHowell is optimistic, she, too, chafes at the timeline. She wishes speedier success for Attleboro. "I hope it doesn't take as long as ours," she said of the city's plan. GEORGE W. RHODES can be reached at 508-236-0432 or at grhodes@thesunchronicle.com.