Members of the Fall River Historical Commission,
The Preservation Society of Fall River opposes the Commission’s decision to deem the 12-month demolition delay bylaw non-applicable for the c.1915 Central Police Station at 158 Bedford Street. As you know, all city-owned historic buildings on the Fall River Register of Significant Structures are required to adhere to the 12-month demolition delay bylaw.
The purpose of this bylaw is not merely procedural; it exists to provide the community, municipal officials, and other stakeholders with an opportunity to explore alternatives to demolition, pursue stabilization efforts, identify redevelopment opportunities, and, if demolition proves unavoidable, develop a plan for the documentation and salvage of historically significant materials and architectural features.
To date, the evidence presented by the Building Department has failed to demonstrate that conditions at 158 Bedford Street have deteriorated to the point of constituting an immediate public emergency requiring the extraordinary step of bypassing the demolition delay process. The rationale offered instead appears to center primarily on project scheduling concerns and the approximately $1.4 million allocated for demolition. While these may be legitimate administrative or financial considerations, neither constitutes an emergency under the intent or spirit of the demolition delay bylaw.
The Preservation Society believes the Historical Commission should have the opportunity to follow standard procedure and waive the demolition delay bylaw, if it deems warranted, but after sufficient evidence is provided to the community.
The City began soliciting demolition proposals months ago, demonstrating that demolition has been contemplated for some time. Had the demolition delay process been initiated when those efforts commenced, the City wouldn’t find itself now seeking relief from a requirement that has long been applicable to this property. The demolition delay bylaw was not even referenced in the demolition solicitation documents despite its clear relevance to the project.
If the demolition delay bylaw is not waived, the community would have the chance to contemplate whether the $1.4 million allocated for the demolition of the Central Police Station with no future reuse or remediation plans would not be better used to stabilize the roof of the building and set it up for future redevelopment.
The Preservation Society has formally requested copies of any recent inspections, engineering reports, or structural assessments demonstrating how the condition of the former police station has allegedly deteriorated to create an immediate threat to public safety and we request the Historical Commission do the same.
The Preservation Society reached out to the Administration this past February with a request to salvage certain elements, if demolition was necessary. We are hoping to receive commitments from the City that items valuable to the community and its public safety history are salvaged and preserved for future generations, but need the time afforded by the delay to guarantee it.
Despite years of neglect, the former Central Police Station remains a commanding presence within the downtown streetscape. To the casual observer standing on Bedford Street, the building still presents itself as a remarkably intact and architecturally distinguished structure with clear potential for adaptive reuse. Its demolition would represent the permanent loss of a significant civic landmark and another chapter of Fall River’s architectural history.
The historical significance of the building extends well beyond its former use. Designed by Fall River architect Edward M. Corbett, a member of the B.M.C. Durfee High School Class of 1899, the police station was among the earliest works of a designer who never received formal architectural training but nevertheless became one of the city’s notable architects. By 1928, Corbett’s talents had matured to the point that he was entrusted with designing Fall River Technical High School on Rock Street. His body of work also included the second Granite Block.
Historically, the Central Police Station formed part of a cohesive governmental center that included the Federal Post Office and Custom House, the Central Fire Station, the Second District Court, and the original City Hall. With the loss of many of those historic civic structures over the decades, the former police station has assumed an even greater importance as one of the last surviving anchor buildings of that governmental complex.
Its contribution to Fall River’s skyline is equally significant. Situated at the foot of the Highlands, the building’s distinctive roofline serves as a visual landmark that immediately captures the attention of those viewing the city’s historic core from a distance. The removal of this structure would leave a noticeable void in the skyline and diminish the architectural character and visual continuity of one of Fall River’s most historic districts.
For these reasons, the Preservation Society respectfully urges the Historical Commission to reject any effort to bypass the demolition delay bylaw absent clear and compelling evidence of a genuine emergency. The public deserves transparency regarding the condition of this historic building, and the community should be afforded the opportunity envisioned by the bylaw to explore alternatives, document the structure, and preserve elements of its history before irreversible action is taken. Thank you.