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Fall River council committee probes safety, funding options for Pearl and Third Street parking garages
Summary
City officials told the Committee on Finance that engineering tests show no immediate structural collapse but repairs and reopening of upper floors will likely require significant funding; councilors pressed for a funding plan and faster repairs because of safety and downtown parking needs.
The Fall River City Council Committee on Finance met with city operations and building officials on March 4 to review safety concerns and near-term repair plans for the Pearl Street and Third Street parking garages.
City officials said engineers’ preliminary work found no immediate structural failure, but further concrete testing and per‑beam inspections are under way and a full repair estimate will follow. The city has consolidated roughly $600,000 in available capital surpluses to begin work and paid $22,000 for an initial engineering assessment; officials said the next stage will determine how much is required to reopen upper levels and repair corroded elements.
The discussion mattered to councilors because the two downtown garages and an adjacent open lot generate roughly $25,000–$30,000 a month in revenue and are used by jurors and downtown visitors. Several councilors described recurring safety and cleanliness complaints, and said elderly residents report avoiding the garages because of safety concerns.
“It's been there just…
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