‘Red’ Maricopa Business Barn turns blue (VIDEO)

Changes at the Maricopa Business Barn caused a strong reaction from residents this week after its iconic red hue had suddenly turned blue.

Multiple threads posted to social media showed many community members were displeased, while others welcomed the new look. The bold color will not be the only transformation the area near the business barn will experience.

New landlord Wendy Webb plans to build a structure on the property next to the barn for the F.O.R. Maricopa Food Bank in 2018. Webb is the executive director of F.O.R.

She chose the color, “Hawaiian Blue,” to encourage cohesion for her proposed complex.

The metal walls of the new food bank building will also be the same shade of blue. Hopeful for city approval, Webb wishes to someday recruit young artists to paint a mural on the exterior.

Webb said children are a major population the food bank services.

“For me, this is about the kids, so I wanted a positive, upbeat color that the children in our community would appreciate,” Webb said. “We are trying to make (the food bank) a really positive, fun thing that’s a not-so-fun thing in your life.”

The current parking lot of the business barn will separate it from the food bank and will mainly accommodate customers and employees of the business barn. Along with an updated aesthetic, the business barn will also receive a new name.

“It’s going to be called ‘F.O.R. Maricopa Business Center’ or ‘Complex’ we haven’t decided yet,” Webb said.

The food bank will feature a drive-thru. The drive-thru line and food bank parking lot is slated to run west on property Webb is looking to lease.

Volunteers have been updating the interior of the business barn since September to attract business owners to rent its spaces.

“As much of an icon as the red barn was in this community, it wasn’t necessarily an icon to draw a lot of new business,” Webb said.

Webb has signed two new tenants with additional plans to turn a large space in the rear of the building to a conference/meeting room and weekend pop-up shops for local, small retailers.

Despite some negative comments on social media, Webb remained optimistic that the community will accept the changes.

The food bank director herself is no stranger to adaption. The charity’s location has moved twice since being forced from its original building in May.

Food bank workers have set up a temporary space inside Santa Cruz Elementary and plan to open after pending issues with flooring and a new hot water heater.