By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
Demolition of the former First United Methodist Church began Tuesday, marking the end of a longtime landmark known for its popular sledding hill and annual pumpkin sales, while leaving unanswered questions about what will eventually replace it.
Heavy equipment arrived on the property at 20 Hoppin Hill Ave. on June 9, less than two weeks after the town issued a demolition permit authorizing asbestos abatement and the complete removal of the structure.
Permit records identify Route One Realty Management LLC as the property owner and Tariq Fayyad as the applicant. The permit was issued May 27 and remains active through Nov. 27. The demolition project is estimated to cost $180,000.Â
Fayyad was contacted by the North Star Reporter via email and telephone but did not respond.
Town officials confirmed that as of June 9, no updated site plan or building proposal has been submitted. That uncertainty is reflected in the demolition permit itself, which lists the proposed future use of the site as “unknown.”
Before demolition could begin, the permit required asbestos abatement throughout the building. Permit records identify asbestos-containing materials including roof tar, window glazing, floor tile, plaster finishes and other building components. Remediation Holdings LLC, doing business as Air Safe, is listed as the asbestos contractor for the project.
The property was sold in July 2025 for $3.5 million, according to real estate records. Although no redevelopment plans have been publicly announced, the ownership group’s ties to Kevin Meehan of Imperial Cars in Mendon fueled speculation about a potential dealership and became a focal point of zoning debates earlier this year
More than a dozen residents attended a March 19 Planning Board meeting in hopes of learning about the plans for the prominent parcel at Hoppin Hill Avenue and South Washington Street. Instead, representatives for the owner said a preliminary subdivision plan submitted for the site was not intended for construction.
The plan proposed dividing the property into four theoretical lots connected by a cul-de-sac. Representatives told the board the filing was intended to preserve existing zoning protections under state law while North Attleborough officials considered a bylaw that would require special permits for future automobile dealerships, rather than allowing them by right in certain commercial districts.
The Town Council ultimately approved a bylaw on April 27 that requires special permits for future dealerships, instead of prohibiting them outright.