Last modified: Friday, February 29, 2008 12:40 AM EST Old Barn on move - but not far BY GEORGE W. RHODES SUN CHRONICLE STAFF ATTLEBORO - Redevelopment officials said they are on the verge of a deal to move Attleboro's Old Barn to a new spot as plans to revitalize downtown continue to unfold. Old Barn patrons don't have to worry though, the popular pet supply company and its owner, Bob Bamberg, aren't going far. The plan is to move the business to the rear of the Attleboro Jewelry Makers building on the corner of Riverbank Road and County Street, a short dog walk from the current site on the corner of Wall and South Main streets. Officials from the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority and Bamberg both said they are pleased with the plan. A sports business recently moved out of the building which is owned by Jewelry Makers owner Nancy Young. Bamberg said a store front will be needed, but the site will keep his business easy to find and will have more parking. The move is planned for the spring. ARA project manager Ron Dubuc said the new location could open up opportunities for other businesses - pet-related, or even a coffee shop - to move into other available space in the building. "It could be a really cool thing," he said. The deal advances plans to move Wall Street businesses to make way for Phase I of the downtown revitalization project. The ARA has already purchased the Old Barn building and one of the Automatic Machine Co. buildings. Eventually, condominiums and a bus station will be built on a 32-acre parcel now occupied by Old Barn, Automatic, the city's public works yard, the MBTA and two Olive Street businesses. Automatic hopes to be in its new building in the city's industrial business park by the end of this year. The ARA has to pay for the moves, but those costs have yet to be determined. Phase I of the downtown plan includes the relocation of Wall Street and the construction of a road parallel to the Ten Mile River. Officials intend to move the public works yard to the former Apco-Mossberg Co. site on Lamb Street. ARA Executive Director Michael Milanoski said the Federal Transit Administration is due to render a decision on a proposal to take the property of Reynolds and Markman Co. and Johnson Fabrication on Olive Street by eminent domain. Phase I is expected to cost about $25 million with a city contribution of about $3.6 million. Once the land is cleared, it will be put on the market. The ARA is hoping to attract developers who will build 100 condominiums in the first phase. Phase II calls for construction of an MBTA parking garage. GEORGE W. RHODES can be reached at 508-236-0432 or at grhodes@thesunchronicle.com.