34 South Main St., Attleboro, MA - (508) 222-7000
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Old Barn on move - but not far
Top Headlines 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.
Post Your Comments jose21 wrote on Feb 29, 2008 2:50 PM: " yeah, a landmark light house on cape cod, versus a crappy old barn in attleboro. good comparison.
" Harry Hindsight wrote on Feb 29, 2008 12:38 PM: " And neither does Lowes or Home Depot sell organic dog food or pet food for animals with alergies. As for the historical aspect of the building, it is not unheard of for building to be moved as a whole. I beleive a light house on the cape was moved because of erosion. Jose21, please don't be so close minded that even the things that you may find not a use for, are very important to others. " jose21 wrote on Feb 29, 2008 12:30 PM: " Get over it, the barn looks like it's about to fall down, who cares about the historical significance? the place doesn't even carry Scotts, I'll take Home Depot or Lowes over that dump any day.
" Realist wrote on Feb 29, 2008 11:29 AM: " To Harry Hindsight -- I'll take that as a compliment...
I was further wondering if the Old Barn has historical significance? Not that the ARA or the mayor seem to appreciate that too much. " Harry Hindsight wrote on Feb 29, 2008 9:31 AM: " Wouldn't it be great if the ARA could find it in their wisdom to add the Attleboro dog park into their plan! Much like Central Park and Boston Commons are the oasis for their cities, wouldn't some green space be great other than having some tree lined water ways? If an ice rink could be included also, it could count as recreation space and may be a revenue maker for the city. Nice to see realist back offering pearls of wisdom. " realist wrote on Feb 29, 2008 8:31 AM: " The Old Barn has two problems.
1. People like going into the old building, it gives them a link with the rural past. I remember when there was still a watering trough for horses near there. Moving into a hidden surplus industrial building will destroy the soul of the business. 2. As Attlebrockton said - the business will be flooded. Who pays the extra insurance premium. " attlebrockton wrote on Feb 29, 2008 8:13 AM: " Point well made Harry ,keep in mind the other article regarding the cleanup of the new DPW site. Thats going to cost additional funds that they don't have but yet they expect to relocate all the City guys over there sometime this spring. As for the Old Barn ,Bob is a nice man but i'm not sure how he'll view his new store once the heavy rains come again . " Harry Hindsight wrote on Feb 29, 2008 7:55 AM: " There isn't someone lined up to even build the condos, never mind have the commitment to buy the property yet? So it is possible that the Old Barn, Automatic, and the DPW lots would be cleared and sit vacant for a period of time before construction is started? With the housing market the way it is today, could there be a for sale sign posted as long as some current homes have theirs in the city? " attlebrockton wrote on Feb 29, 2008 7:55 AM: " I guess they are done "negotiaitng "with Johnson Industrial & Reynolds and Markman. If I recall the ARa told the city council then would "take care of" Reynolds & Johnson .Who knew they meant 'Take care of " in the Tony saprano sense! " or
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