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Fall River City Council vote for apartment project for Bank Street Armory fails
The Fall River City Council narrowly approved the go-ahead for apartments at the current Bank Street Armory, but did not receive enough votes.
Mayor Paul Coogan had approved the sale of the Bank Street Armory to developer Alan Macomber for $200,000 and had sent the proposal to the City Council for review.
In a 4-3 vote Tuesday, the City Council voted in favor of the proposal with Councilor Linda Pereira being the most vocal against the project. In addition to Pereira, Dionne, and President Joe Camara also were in opposition to the project. Councilors Pam Laliberte and Leo Pelletier were not present. Pelletier submitted a letter stating that while he didn’t prefer the project personally, it is what is in the best interest of the city.
In an update, the City Clerk stated that the project did not pass as it required a two-thirds vote in the affirmative.
Main Street Property, LLC intended to convert the armory into 37 market-rate apartments and the post office garage building nearby would provide two floors of parking for the apartments. Apartments would also be added to the post office building.
The City of Fall River initially wanted the armory to be converted into an arts and entertainment venue, but Main Street Property has stated that concept is financially prohibitive and would negatively impact the Narrows Center nearby.
Mark Gustafson
September 27, 2023 at 8:15 pm
An opportunity wasted…City can’t afford to take on the maintenance of yet another aging facility…add this to the tax burden of Durfee High School and Diman Hgh School (never put forward to the voters of Fall River) spells fiscal disaster…a proven, successful real estate developer is willing to invest money in a a building which is falling apart and put the facility on the tax rolls of Fall River is a positive for our City and should be embraced…
Former City Council President Mark Gustafson
Mark Gustafson
September 27, 2023 at 9:07 pm
This is a no brainer….City cannot afford to to assume the maintenance costs of yet another aging building in disrepair…a proven , respected real estate developer who is willing to invest a substantial amount of money and put the property on the tax rolls is a positive for the city of Fall River….add in the tax liability of Durfee High School and Diman High School (which was never presented for a vote to the voters of Fall River) we simply can’t afford an unnecessary tax burden…
HunterBidenforCityCouncil
September 28, 2023 at 4:50 pm
One more time buddy!