Fall River Building Inspector says Restaurant has not shown proof of parking

Earlier this week, we published a story about the Corner Stone Lounge on East Main Street in Fall River that after two years, has still not been granted an operational license from the city Building Inspector, Glenn Hathaway.

But according to Hathaway, owner Manuel DaSilva has not provided the city with proof of his lease of a parking lot located across the street from the restaurant.

“I have tried to work with him. I just need a copy of a lease or receipts for his payment of rent on the space. He has not provided it.”

Hathaway says that back in 2022, DaSilva did show him a text communication between he and the property owner but that was two years ago. He said they need something current.

And while DaSilva pushed back last week and said that other local restaurants have permits to operate but do not offer parking, Hathaway said that DaSilva and his attorney agreed to meet the requests of the city and members of the neighborhood association to provide parking.

“When DaSilva went to get his business permit from the powers that be, he made a proposal with his attorney. That included off-street parking,” said Hathaway.

When I asked Hathaway for the approximate date of the licensing board meeting where the parking was discussed and voted on, Hathaway told me that it was not decided at a public meeting.

“The decision was made when the owner and his attorney let the city and residents tour the building. They talked about it and agreed on it at the site.”

DaSilva says that he has had difficulty reaching the owner of the parking lot.

“She has trouble with her kids, and she doesn’t come out of her house.”

DaSilva showed me the same text communication between he and the parking lot owner where they agreed on him renting the space from her. The texts were dated from 2022.

DaSilva maintains that he should not even need the off-street parking, but Hathaway says problems in the past with noise and parking have caused neighbors to speak up against potential problems.

DaSilva says he just wants a chance.