After recent proposal falls through, project to create new manufacturing, retail, and warehousing in Fall River given go ahead

City officials are hoping this is the proposal that finally sticks.

At Thursday’s Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, Peter Humphrey of Horner Millwork in Somerset and President of North Atlantic Corp represented by Atty. Peter A. Saulino and Jeff Tolman of Northeast Engineers and Consultants sought a Special Permit per § 86-425 B of the City of Fall River Zoning Ordinance to demolish 2 existing nonconforming structures at 644 & 648 Rodman and construct a new 60,000 sq. ft. building with the same nonconforming setbacks as the original structure. Humphrey also sought a Variance to allow manufacturing and warehousing use in a B-L (Local Business) Zoning District. The project will also have a retail component.

According to Tolman, it has been determined that the buildings currently on site are not worth saving.

Saulino stated that the previous proposal in January involving a cabinet manufacturer and seller fell through because the transaction was not closed on.

Humphrey stated that he also runs Remodelers Outlet in Fall River on Quarry Street and that there is a fair chance that when the lease ends, the business will need to find another place and that this proposal is a preemptive move. It also appears that what happens to the lease at Remodelers Outlet will determine the breakdown of manufacturing, retail, and warehousing on the property.

Hours of operation are expected to be 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 7 days a week.

The Board granted the Special Permit and Variance.