The Fall River City Council last night once again put off another vote on the administration’s proposal to sell the Bank Street Armory to a local developer who plans to renovate the structure into a mix of market rate and affordable housing.
Prior to the vote, a stream of residents pleaded with the council not to approve the sale of the armory to developer Alan Macomber, but instead seek funding to restore the historic structure and find ways for it to be used as a community center.
When the council took up the sale two weeks ago, the matter was objected to by Councilor Linda Pereira, putting off the issue until last night, where she again asked her colleagues to not rush into selling the building until all options to save it are exhausted.
City Councilor Shawn Cadime in the past voted in favor of selling the armory, but last night asked his colleagues to table the matter until more information is gathered on options to save it. He also said that the ultimate fate of the building rests with the mayor.
Councilor Pereira said there may be some community preservation funds available, on a local, state and federal level, to pay for needed repairs to the armory. The Coogan Administration is looking to sell the building and estimates the cost of repair to be between ten and twelve million dollars, money it feels it cannot afford.
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