Brockton council tables proposed taking of 54 North Main Street after objections over CDBG spending

The Brockton City Council on March 24 voted to table an order that would have the city take in fee 54 North Main Street and pay an estimated $1,050,000 in damages, following objections about the use of Community Development Block Grant funds.

Councilor Rodriguez, who opposed the taking, urged colleagues to delay action and moved to table the matter, saying the city should prioritize other infrastructure needs and questioning apparent prior conveyance terms for the building. "If there are absolutely no discussions in this council, I like to move that we table this because this is somewhat, it's insulting to me personally," Rodriguez said, noting she had heard the building was originally conveyed for $1 and that demolition would cost "another 300 plus thousand dollars." The motion to table carried 8–1.

The nut graf: The order would have the city acquire the property by eminent domain (a statutory taking under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 79) and pay damages estimated in the transcript at $1,050,000, to be drawn from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Council debate focused on whether CDBG money should be spent on this acquisition and on the absence, as described by Rodriguez, of a specific redevelopment plan or clear post‑demolition use.

Details and vote: The council considered an order describing the taking in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 79 and referencing the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds. The clerk read the order, which states the taking includes all fixtures and that payment would come from CDBG funds. Councilor Rodriguez spoke at length against the order, arguing federal or CDBG funds should instead be used for other infrastructure needs and that the council had not been given sufficient plans for the site. After discussion and a renewed motion to table, the roll call was: Azak — yes; Draencourt — no; Farwell — yes; Griffin — yes; DeCastro — yes; Rodriguez — yes; Tavares — yes; Texara — yes; Thompson — yes. The tally was 8 in favor of tabling, 1 opposed.

Context and next steps: Because the council tabled the item, the taking was not adopted at this meeting. Councilors said the matter can be brought back later if proponents provide additional information or revised terms; no committee referral or staff assignment was recorded on the transcript. The transcript records the council debating alleged prior transactions and demolition cost estimates but does not show a concrete redevelopment plan or a binding timeline for any future action.

Ending: The council’s action leaves the proposed CDBG‑funded acquisition unresolved; proponents or staff would need to return with more details before the body will take the matter up again.