Saga concerning old Fall River police station may finally be coming to an end

The saga involving the old Fall River police station may soon be over once and for all.

At an August 2020 Fall River City Council meeting, Marc Lederman of Chelsea based Wethersfield LLC and attorney Matthew Thomas went in front of the Council prior to their vote to approve the purchase and sales agreement of the property at 158 Bedford Street.

Lederman stated at that meeting that he was purchasing the property from the City for $10,000 (was finalized on 1/25/2021). The plan was to put in 5-6 million dollars into the location to create 30 market rate housing apartments.

The Council unanimously approved the sale, however, the plan never came to fruition.

On July 21,2022, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved the project, but in the summer of 2023, work was stopped over concerns from the City involving the soundness of the building.

According to the Register of Deeds, a filing from October 30, 2024, states that the City of Fall River was taking the property back due to $3,500+ in unpaid taxes, interest, and incidental expenses.

The property is expected to be deeded back to the City on Tuesday, and, according to the Herald News, a pre-demolition survey will be conducted soon with Mayor Paul Coogan hoping that the building can be demolished.

What would you like to see at 158 Bedford Street?