With Fall River City Pier soon to open, officials name it after former city politician

With it soon to open after many years and millions of dollars, the new Fall River City Pier will be named after a former long-time city politician.

The Redevelopment Authority unanimously approved Wednesday to name the pier after Thomas Norton.

Born and raised in Fall River, Norton served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1972-84 and in the Massachusetts Senate, Bristol 1st, from 1985-1999 where he also became majority leader.

While the pier could be open as early as this summer, the opening could be delayed due to an issue with curbing, however, lighting has already begun to be installed.

In August of 2021, Mayor Paul Coogan, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, and other dignitaries attended the groundbreaking at the Pier.

Mayor Coogan stated back in August that “the EPA and the DEP required the RDA to do an extensive environmental clean-up on the City Pier. A large amount of contaminated soil had been removed from the site. There has been significant clean fill brought on to the pier to cap the site. This will allow us to finish the surface with either asphalt, concrete or grass. “If we were to go any deeper into the soil on the pier, it would require a much more extensive clean-up and an additional tens of millions of dollars to complete. The approved site plan presented this week will allow the city to host community events, fairs, boat dockage (additional work required) and concerts. It will also allow all residents a waterfront walking path.”

The creation and development of the pier is part of an extensive plan to develop the waterfront.

A Public Hearing in October was hosted by MassDOT to present the design for the proposed Corridor Improvements on Route 79 and Davol Street.