Community
Variance and special permit approved by Fall River Zoning Board for 405 unit complex with eatery, shuttle
Proposed new housing complexes in Fall River continue to march forward.
Atty. Thomas Killoran went in front of the Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals Thursday evening representing Flint Mills LLC seeking a variance/special permit to redevelop the existing mill complex at 135 Alden Street to a luxury mixed-use development that will include 405 residential apartment units and a modification of parking requirements to have 1 parking space per unit.
Killoran stated that the property, a total of 6 acres, is currently in poor condition with an empty building. The project would reverse that and revitalize the space.
The break-down of the 405 units is expected to be 104 studio, 220 one-bedroom, and 81 two-bedroom with 20 percent of the apartments housing residents that are 55 and over.
The project is geared more toward the empty nester than families.
Units will be spacious and modern while maintaining elements of the mill’s historic character, including its high ceilings, exposed beams, and beautiful stone work, and amenities will include a private pool, park, and fitness center.
The mixed-use section of the development will occupy something along the lines of a coffee shop or small restaurant.
Those who are residents of the complex will also be provided the option of using a shuttle to public transportation such as South Coast Rail.
The Board approved the variance and special permit with the blessing of the Fall River Preservation Society as the historical mill structure has been in existence since the late 1800s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Over 850 units were approved during Thursday’s meeting.
400 rent units were approved for the former Duro site.
46 units were approved for the former Sacred Heart Church
8 townhouses were approved for Grinnell Street.
The hope is that greater supply of housing will stabilize or lower the increase in rents that has been seen in the Fall River area in addition to increasing the city’s tax base.
Fall River Resident
September 24, 2023 at 10:31 am
Out of the 405 units, 400 will remain vacant for years because nobody in the city of Fall River can afford to pay the rent.The highest paying job in the city pays min wage and your lucky if its full time. Also almost every family has kids so 2 beds max will not cut it. The city needs more 3/4 bedroom apartments that are affordable compared to the income of the people working there. It will just turn out to be another place for all the drug addicts to hang out, homeless people to make camps, and prostitutes to take their customers like all the other mill apartments that have recently been built in the city.