AAA purchased property at corner of Maple and County and reportedly plans to demolish the building
BARRINGTON — It started as a U.S. Post Office, spent years as a ski shop called Crossed Sabers and was most recently home to Teapots and Tassels and Upscale Emporium, but the future for the building at the northern corner of County Road and Maple Avenue now appears in doubt.
According to the Barrington Neighborhood Coalition, AAA of Southern New England is the newest owner of the property and plans to demolish the 62-year-old structure to make way for a new building. Barrington Neighborhood Coalition member Sydney Montstream-Quas said AAA officials recently attended a meeting with town leaders and local preservationists.
“My understanding was that the intent of the meeting was to discuss the plans for the building with the clear hope that the building could be saved. That was preservationists’ hope,” Ms. Montstream-Quas said. “It was very clear from the beginning that they were not interested in saving the building. They were kind to meet with us, we give them credit for that, but there was clearly no intention to save the building.”
Barrington Town Manager Peter DeAngelis attended the meeting and said he was hoping AAA would keep the building. “We expressed our concern, but we understand that the business has its own needs,” he said.
On Sunday night, the Barrington Neighborhood Coalition issued a press release announcing a sidewalk vigil for “citizens to pay last respects” to the building at 280 County Road. The vigil is set for Saturday, Dec. 6 at noon along the sidewalk in front of the Barrington Town Hall.
“While replacement building design plans have yet to be submitted and approved, demolition in approximately a week’s time is expected,” stated the press release.
On Monday morning, Valerie Carroll, an administrator for the town’s building official and planner, said she had no record of a demolition permit or an application for a demolition permit for the building.
“I haven’t seen anything. There has not been a demo permit issued,” she said.
Barrington Town Planner Phil Hervey confirmed that a meeting had been held recently between town officials, the new property owner, and preservationists.
“I would say the intent [for the meeting] was to understand what AAA’s plans are. We would want to make sure their development plan is meeting the town’s goals. They haven’t filed an actual development plan yet,” he said.
Currently, AAA of Southern New England rents office space in the Barrington Shopping Center. Phone calls to the AAA office in Providence were not returned.
Building history
According to the press release from the Barrington Neighborhood Coalition, the building — constructed in the brick Tudor Revival style — holds historic significance. Ms. Montstream-Quas said many residents in town were shocked to learn that the two-story structure was going to be razed.
“We’re just erasing Barrington’s history,” she said. “It’s total shock... people had no idea. I think there is sadness because it is a historic building on our main street in town.
“People we see around town, Barrington citizens, are clearly disappointed. We hope we get as many people as possible to the vigil. We have absolutely no idea what the new building will look like.”
According to the press release, the building was constructed in 1946 and was originally used as a post office. It later was used as a commercial property, housing stores like Crossed Sabers and more recently Upscale Emporium.
Tax assessor records show the building was sold by Warren resident James A. Mancini Jr. to AAA Southern New England on Sept. 25 for $950,000.
While the structure is not listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it does abut the Barrington Civic Center Historic District which is on the National Register. Mr. Hervey said that would be taken into consideration when officials review a development plan for the property.
Typical American Architectural tragedy. When will we learn as a country that new is not always better, especially when it comes to architecture. It took NYC's razing of the grand old Penn Station to finally realize they had gone too far. Will this be Barrington's moment?
First of all what architectural loss is a 67 year old building that looks like a standard cape. Historic buildings are those either with historical significance or over 100 years old.
And as an FYI Penn Station was razed...it is actually quite beautifully restored after it was saved by the transfer of air rights.
I agree with missionimpossible.The building is not architecturally significant enough to make it worth saving by reason of age or design.Kind of common and dated, actually.If it were located two doors down on Maple would anyone care that it was being demoed to make way for another building.
Considering the location of the property, a building with a concept behind it would bookend the intersection nicely. Residents should not be so afraid of change. Well designed architecture will inspire. Unfortunately for this building,its charm appears to have expired.
umm, a 62 year old building is historic? Did it house returning vets from WW2 or something? does not appesar to be significant to me. They have razed plenty of older buildings in various areas before. If every building over 60 years old became "historic" we would run out of space pretty quick here in RI, and New England.
I'll bet sixty years ago townsfolk were vigorously opposing the Federal government's desecration of the town's character with a faux Tudor Revival post office. Oh, the humanity.
peterpan, I have to respectfully disagree. If anyone tries to tear down the Maple Avenue car wash (I believe the architectural style is called "Faux Post-war East Berlin"), I'll be organizing my own vigil. Don't forget to bring a candle.
I don't recall seeing the carwash building nor have I ever heard of the style "faux post-war east berlin" when in architecture school.
Where is it? It doesn't sound very pretty if your serious.
