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ATTLEBORO - A remnant of downtown's past is about to make way for what officials are hoping is another step towards a bright future for the struggling center.

The former C. Peters Fruit Stand, which is wedged into a small parcel next to the railroad bridge at 49 Park St., is slated to be torn down soon to clear the path for construction of a new pedestrian access to the northbound commuter rail platform.

The 240-square-foot building has been vacant for years and was bought from the Peters family by the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority in 2006 for $40,000.

GATRA has applied for a demolition permit which means the building has been readied for razing.

Peters closed back in 1992 after nearly 80 years of selling fruits and vegetables from 49 and 51 Park St. The current store front at 49 Park was built in 1961 to replace one Peters had used since 1924 when it moved from 51 Park.

Once the store is demolished, stairs and a ramp to the commuter rail will be built making access from the center of town easier for commuters who live in or near downtown.

Part of first phase

The project is part of the $14.7 million first phase of downtown revitalization, which aims to create transit improvements, homes and retail space on about 32 acres in the center.

GATRA director Francis Gay was not available Friday to talk about the cost of the platform access work or when it will get underway.

Meanwhile, the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority, which is overseeing the downtown project, is ready to build a new driveway to the MBTA commuter rail parking lot off Wall Street, but is waiting for the MBTA to approve the plans.

It's hoped construction will begin sometime before the end of the year, ARA executive director Michael Milanoski said.

The new Wall Street entrance will help alleviate unsafe congestion at the South Main Street entrance which disintegrates into a dangerous mix of cars and pedestrians when trains are loading or unloading.