Three Fall River properties demolished with more likely

(FALL RIVER, MA- MAY 27, 2021)- Mayor Paul Coogan was joined on May 26th by representatives from the Fall River Community Development Agency and Department of Inspectional Services to oversee the demolition of two properties through the Building Blocks Program.

The two houses, located at 238 Henry Street and 230 Lawton Street, were the second and third demolitions undergone this week, following the demolition of 138 Fountain Street on Monday, May 24th.

According to the Mayor’s Office, CDBG Block Grant funding was used to demolish these three properties, which will be returned to the agency after the sale of the properties.

The Fall River Building Blocks Program was revived by Mayor Coogan in 2020 with the mission of addressing abandoned and dilapidated properties across Fall River. Properties are identified by inspectors from the City’s Minimum Housing and Inspectional Services departments, who submit properties to the Office of the Attorney General for their consideration. The Attorney General then contacts owners who must get the property up to code, with the potential to take homes into receivership in the case of noncompliance.

Support is available through the Community Development Agency to assist owners in repairing properties that are safe for rehabilitation. Through the Building Blocks program, several properties are undergoing repair after contact with the owners.

Besides the three properties razed this week, inspections have already been completed at 380 London Street, 24 Hamlet Street, 58 Farnham Street, and 104 Lawton Street, according to the Mayor’s Office.

Inspections are also scheduled for properties at 139-141 Hall Street, 209 Manchester Street, 24 Kennedy Street, and 805 Valentine Street.

In January of 2020, 172 vacant or abandoned properties were identified in Fall River. In May of
2021, approximately 85 vacant or abandoned properties have been identified.

“We brought back the Building Blocks Program last year because it is a straightforward way to
solve a number of problems at once,” remarked Mayor Paul Coogan. “Abandoned properties are not just an economic issue- they’re a quality of life issue. Through the Building Blocks Program, we can hold owners accountable, get homes on the tax roll and make our neighborhoods safer and more vibrant. The feedback we received this week from the neighbors near the demolitions was very encouraging, and we have no plans to stop anytime soon.”