Fall River may give the Bank Street Armory to the historical board: Here's what that means

Jo C. Goode, The Herald News
·4 min read

FALL RIVER — In the three months since the City Council voted down the sale of the Bank Street Armory for redevelopment into market-rate housing, there’s been some progress to move oversight to the Historical Commission to help restore the 1897 building.

Mayor Paul Coogan said his administration is using $35,000 left from a previous Community Preservation Act grant to shore up the building and avoid further damage.

“We’re buttoning it up,” said Coogan. “We’re going to secure the windows and putting drains up to make sure water is running away from the building.”

City Council Vice President Linda Pereira, a vocal opponent of the sale, wants to work with the Historical Commission to acquire grants to fund repairs so the city can use the space for things like office space and cultural events. 

“I’d like to preserve it. It’s the last historic property that the city owns. So, I say, let’s give the Historic Commission a shot. Let them apply for grants and see what they can come up with. Give it to them for a year,” said Pereira on Monday.

The Bank Street Armory in Fall River.
The Bank Street Armory in Fall River.

195 Things off I-195: Armory stands as a symbol of city’s grand past

Working on transferring Armory to the Historical Commission

In early 2023, the city published a request for proposals to redevelop the armory, asking for a mix of housing, commercial space and performance space to “enhance the city’s efforts to attract residents interested in an urban lifestyle,” and attract residents with income to support businesses in a diversified downtown.

Local developer Alan Macomber was the only one to respond to the RFP with an offer of $200,000. His proposal would have been a more than $13 million investment to create 37 market-rate apartments.

Pereira said she supports putting the armory and its preservation under the authority of the Historical Commission.

Last week, the Committee on Ordinances and Legislation, chaired by Pereira, discussed a resolution that would transfer oversight of the armory from the Park Board to the Historical Commission.

The Bank Street Armory, also known as the Municipal Veterans Memorial on Bank Street in Fall River, is seen Wednesday during a tour of the city-owned property. The city is attempting to sell the property, currently used for storage.
The Bank Street Armory, also known as the Municipal Veterans Memorial on Bank Street in Fall River, is seen Wednesday during a tour of the city-owned property. The city is attempting to sell the property, currently used for storage.

Members of the ordinance committee directed Assistant Corporation Counsel Kenneth Fredette to study the legal requirements for the transfer and to explore co-oversight with the Parks Department and report his findings in 30 days.

Coogan said he’s discussed the issue with Historical Commission Chairman Jason Bouchard-Nawrocki and Alexander Silva, a member of the Fall River Preservation Society board of directors, to discuss where they could acquire the funding to repair the armory. The administration has estimated repairs would cost over $10 million.

“I know how difficult that project is and it's a big, heavy lift,” said Coogan. “Just show me a road map. Bring me a plan.”

What was once the basketball court at the Bank Street Armory in Fall River is now the city's basement, used as storage for everything from Christmas decorations to streetlights.
What was once the basketball court at the Bank Street Armory in Fall River is now the city's basement, used as storage for everything from Christmas decorations to streetlights.

Too decayed to be fixed? Two developers toured the Bank Street Armory. Here's what it looks like inside.

Additional grant funding may be available

Bouchard-Nawrocki told the ordinance committee members that the Historical Commission and the Preservation Society have been working on, and the city is about to receive, its Certified Local Government Program designation from the National Park Service.

He said the final approval of the designation should be coming in the next two weeks.

“That would allow us to access additional grant funding from the state that only a very small amount of communities in the state have access to,” said Bouchard-Nawrocki.

The Bank Street Armory, on Bank Street in Fall River, is in rough condition, with trash, debris and bins of water.
The Bank Street Armory, on Bank Street in Fall River, is in rough condition, with trash, debris and bins of water.

The grant money could be used for studies of the armory, like a new feasibility study and structural assessment of the building. The last one was done eight or nine years ago, said Bouchard-Nawrocki.

He said it would also give the city time to better study the deed restrictions placed on the armory.

“Our hope is to get that missing information,” said Bouchard-Nawrocki.

Jim Soule, president of the Preservation Society of Fall River, said he believes the Historical Commission is the correct government body to oversee the armory, although the nonprofit preservation society will play a supportive role.

A room that was once the computer lab and library inside the Bank Street Armory, on Bank Street in Fall River, is dominated by a large fireplace.
A room that was once the computer lab and library inside the Bank Street Armory, on Bank Street in Fall River, is dominated by a large fireplace.

History of Fall River's armory

The armory was abruptly shuttered in April 2015. An inspection revealed one of the chimneys had loose granite blocks leaning in toward the gym. City workers later repaired the chimney, but the building has been used solely for storage since.

The shutdown displaced the Greater Fall River Re-Creation and YouthBuild, both organizations that help the city’s youth. At the time Re-Creation served over 1,500 children a week.

The armory, which opened to the public on Feb. 24, 1897, was once home to a volunteer militia, the National Guard, and Greater Fall River Re-Creation and Youth Build when it came under city ownership in 1976.

The basketball court was for many years where B.M.C. Durfee High School held its games, staging legendary matches against New Bedford High and other local teams. The space once played host to traveling circuses, and for years was a pro wrestling venue that held legends like Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, Mr. Fuji and George “The Animal” Steele. Aerosmith played a concert there in 1974.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River seeking historical grant money to fix Bank Street Armory