Fall River Historical Commission approves letters of support for a slate of preservation and survey projects

The Fall River Historical Commission on Sept. 30 voted unanimously to provide letters of support for a group of local preservation projects seeking Community Preservation Committee funding and related assistance. The commission approved support letters for more than a dozen applications, ranging from window restorations at 418 Quakersfield Street and the American Printing No. 6 mill to a $645,000 tower-repointing phase at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption. The commission also backed surveys of two historic districts, roof and exterior restorations at the Fall River Historical Society and Little Theatre, and restoration work proposed by Battleship Cove and other local churches and institutions. Why it matters: the letters of support are part of the formal CPC application process in Fall River; several applicants told the commission their projects depend on CPC funding or matching funds. The projects together involve building envelopes, fenestration, and historic inventories that public speakers said will protect historic fabric and help secure additional grant funding. The most costly project discussed was a tower repointing and scaffolding package for the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption at 450 Highland Avenue. Victor Andreozzi, director of facilities for the Diocese of Fall River, said the tower portion of a larger cathedral renovation is roughly a $645,000 effort and that the diocese "is…