Fall River committee refers single bid for former Sylvia School to review panel

The Fall River City Real Estate Committee on June 24 referred a single proposal for the former Sylvia School Annex to the RFP proposal review team after hearing a short public comment from a preservation advocate and a presentation from the prospective buyer.

The referral moves a single bid from Anthony Cordero of Cordero Properties into the city's formal evaluation process; the committee recorded the motion, a second and an "Aye" vote in open session.

The vote matters because the site — partially demolished after a recent fire — has been the subject of earlier preservation discussions and a 2024 RFP. Alexander Silva, 148 Purchase Street, identified himself as "president of the board of directors of the Preservation Society of Fall River" and told the committee he had provided suggested edits to the earlier RFP so redevelopment could include affordable housing and alternatives to parking. "I just wanted to, kinda, I guess, see what, is spoken about today regarding the RFP for the Sylvia School and what the city's, intention, I guess, for…