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ATTLEBORO - "This is all about making lemonade out of lemons," Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said Friday at the opening of an express office of the Registry of Motor Vehicles in rent-free, city-owned space in Attleboro.

Murray said city officials were able to turn a bad situation - the closing of a registry branch in North Attleboro because of budget cuts - into "a win-win situation."

By offering the state free office space, the registry could reduce spending and also offer services to local motorists, he said.

"The mayor and the entire city was so pro-active trying to make this work," he said.

Mayor Kevin Dumas said city government did everything it could to seize the opportunity caused by the North Attleboro closing. "It is just a wonderful opportunity. Even in the worst of times, we can make wonderful things happen," he said to a large gathering at the ribbon-cutting opening the facility.

The move from rented space in North Attleboro to a free office in the basement of the former Post Office on Park Street in Attleboro saves the state $128,000. Other closings and moves to municipal buildings statewide will cut spending by $1.7 million.

Murray and Registrar Rachel Kaprielian said Dumas went all out to convince the registry to move to Attleboro.

"They could not have been more cooperative. They could not have been more helpful," Kaprielian said of city officials.

She said Attleboro has become the standard other communities will have to live up to if they want a registry office.

She and Murray also said the entire area legislative delegation was not shy about applying political pressure.

Murray joked that he had to start sneaking into the Statehouse through back doors to avoid state Rep. Bill Bowles because Bowles was pressing so hard and so often for the Attleboro office.

Bowles, D-Attleboro, said he lobbied a top state official every day to make the case for the city.

Bowles said that on one occasion he approached Murray at a picnic and the lieutenant governor said, "I know, I know," before Bowles could bring up the subject.

"This is truly a great, great day for the city of Attleboro," he said. Bowles said that rather than "wallow in the loss" of the North Attleboro office, people worked together to recruit the registry to Attleboro.

State Rep. Betty Poirier, R-North Attleboro, said taxpayers were instrumental in convincing the registry to open a local express office.

She said she gave Kaprielian a stack of letters and printouts of e-mails from constituents complaining about the loss of the North Attleboro office.

An express office allows motorists to renew licenses and registrations, but does not offer road tests or learner permits tests. It also does not accept cash to pay for transactions.

The North Attleboro closing in July caused local motorists to travel to Taunton, Milford and Brockton to renew licenses and registrations.

The added customers caused lines to increase to up to three-hours long, prompting more complaints.

To local officials, the opening of the downtown facility is more than just a convenience to motorists.

Dumas said the hope is that the estimated 5,000 people who will use the office each month will shop or eat in Attleboro, helping to revitalize the downtown.

He noted an Italian restaurant is under construction just a block from the new registry office.

While the city went all out courting the registry, it also went all out in celebrating the opening Friday.

Colorful banners were hung on the front of the building. Patriotic signs were put up inside the office.

Local vendors and civic people donated money, so free food and drinks could be offered to the gathering. Tiny toy automobiles were passed out as mementos of the occasion.

Sue Blais, one of the volunteers at the event, said more than 250 people had visited the office by 4 p.m.

Every local legislator and many city officials attended.

The city even held a second ceremony in the early evening for people who were unable to attend the morning ribbon-cutting.