Barre City Council Allocates $400,000 for Vacant Building Purchase
The Barre City Council recently made a controversial decision to set aside $400,000 for a nonprofit’s fundraising campaign to purchase a long-vacant building on Main Street. This move has sparked a heated debate among community members, with passionate arguments on both sides of the issue.
The Building and Its History
The building in question, located at 143 North Main St., was once the site of a Newberry’s five-and-dime store but has remained vacant since 2010. Described as the downtown’s “biggest eyesore,” the property is currently assessed at $325,800. The Barre Area Development Corporation aims to raise a total of $1 million by June to acquire the building from local real estate developers Jeff Jacobs and Steve Lewinstein.
Conflicting Perspectives
During a recent council meeting, Steve Mackenzie, a board member of the nonprofit, expressed concerns about the owners’ asking price, calling it “clearly excessive.” However, he emphasized the importance of taking action to prevent the building from sitting empty for another five to ten years. On the other hand, several city councilors and members of the public raised objections to the plan, citing competing priorities like flood recovery efforts, infrastructure needs, and housing concerns.
The Road Ahead
Despite the controversy, the council voted 4-3 in favor of allocating the funds for the building purchase. While some council members advocated for alternative uses of the money, supporters of the measure highlighted the potential long-term benefits for the city, including increased property tax revenue and revitalization of the downtown area.
In the midst of this debate, community members are grappling with tough decisions about how to allocate limited resources to address pressing needs. The story of the vacant building on Main Street is just one example of the complex challenges facing Barre and similar communities across the country.
As residents continue to voice their opinions and city officials weigh the pros and cons of their decisions, one thing is clear: the future of Barre’s downtown hangs in the balance, with implications that extend far beyond the walls of a single vacant building.
