Lone proposal would turn former Davol school in Fall River into market rate housing

FALL RIVER ─ A lone response from a local development company to a request for a proposal to sell and redevelop the former Davol school in the Flint would turn the 133-year-old historic structure into market rate housing.

“Contractors Landing sees the former Davol School a “diamond in the rough” and thinks that this property has great potential as a market rate apartment building,” wrote the company’s manager, John Ferreira.

In his application, Ferreira indicated that his company “would envision the conversion of the existing building into at least sixteen (16) units,” but that number could change after full architectural plans are completed.

It’s the second time the city attempted to sell the former elementary school since the administration took back the property from the Flint Neighborhood Association last year after the non-profit failed to redevelop the school building. It had been used by a food pantry and monthly paid parking used by neighbors.

The first attempt to sell the former Davol school did not solicit one bid.

This second RFP called for a minimum bid of $355,000.

It’s unclear whether Ferreira offered to purchase the property for the minimum bid requirement as the money offered is sealed while the City Council will review the proposal and vote on the sale.

However, in the RFP response, president and CEO of St. Michaels Federal Credit Union, Stu Mahjoory, indicated in a letter that Contractors Landing has availability of funds of $150,000 “to use as he deems necessary.”

In his bid, Ferreira identified other redevelopment efforts that include the renovation of the former Atlantis Charter School at 2501 South Main Street. The Fall River Redevelopment Authority eventually took ownership of the building at a cost of $7.5 million. The city is utilizing the school that includes pre-K classrooms.

The neighborhood group purchased the former school in 2014 for $5,000 from the city and with the approval of the City Council with plans to build a community center. After nine years of inaction to redevelop the once neighborhood school, the city exercised a reverter clause in the original sales agreement.

The RFP proposal will be sent down to the City Council.