BARRE, Vt. (WCAX) – A store front that has been empty for the last 15 years could see new development.
“This should be slowed down, this should be thought of more carefully. There should be clear plans. This Is money that is Barre city public money,” said Ellen Kaye of Barre.
Kaye agrees the space, that once held ‘Newberry’s Five-and-Dime’, needs to be occupied but is concerned after Barre City councilors approved spending 400-thousand dollars to help buy it.
“I would actually like to see the owners of this building take responsibility. For the way they have let it fall into disrepair. That they should be responsible for this blight on main street, and not the city,” said Kaye.
City officials made the decision to help the non profit, Barre Area Development Corporation, buy the property for a million dollars from the current owner.
But only *if* the organization can come up with six hundred thousand dollars to cover the total bill.
According to the non-profit this is not the first time the city has tried to buy the property as the current owners have made it hard to settle on what they call a credible deal.
“The primary objective of B.A.D.C. is to get control of the property. It is not that we have plans to develop it or whatever. I think the way to develop it would be to turn over to the city for a dollar, or frankly give it to the city,” said Steven Mackenzie from Barre Area Development.
And the city has a few ideas about what can be done with the space.
“You could possibly get dozens of housing units right on main street in Barre. You can get some retail on the first floor, you can get some community space on the first floor. So there is a lot of opportunity,” said City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro.
Now local officials are not sure what the space will become once they do take it over. But one thing is for certain, the building is in such disrepair that it does need to be knocked down.