Fall River Historical Commission approves letters of support for state preservation grants for Bank Street Armory and public library

FALL RIVER, Mass. — The Fall River Historical Commission voted unanimously March 5 to provide letters of support for two grant applications to the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund that would advance preservation work at the Bank Street Armory and at the Fall River Public Library.

The commission approved a letter backing a city application for a feasibility study and structural assessment of the Bank Street Armory, an item presented by commission members as a contingency if a museum organization does not proceed with plans to acquire and convert the building. "It is a matching grant," said Rick Mancini, a Fall River Historical Commission member, discussing the program’s 50% match requirement.

The commission’s presentation said the full package for the armory study is expected to cost between $55,000 and $60,000, with roughly half requested from the state and the match likely to come from Community Preservation Act funds set aside by the city. The commission supplied background materials for the application, including the property’s preservation deed restriction and the armory’s National Register nomination as part of the Downtown Fall River National Register District. The commission was told the application deadline is March 14 and that awards would be announced later in the spring or early summer; if the museum group proceeds with a private development, the city could decline any state award.

Motion and vote: The motion to provide the letter of support for the Bank Street Armory application was made by Rick Mancini and seconded by John Lima. A roll-call vote recorded "yes" from Rick Mancini; Connie Soule; John Lima; Joyce Rodericks; Jason Bouchard; and Araki, and the motion carried unanimously.

The commission also approved a letter of support for a separate Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund application to finance exterior stone repointing at the Fall River Public Library. Commissioners said the library already has a preservation deed restriction held by the Massachusetts Historical Commission and is included in the downtown National Register district. The commission reported the city expects to provide the required match from library funds; the application did not require a contractor quote, but commissioners estimated the request would be in the neighborhood of $20,000.

Commissioners noted that the library’s roof work has been completed with prior Community Preservation Committee funding and that water penetrating stone slabs now appears to be causing interior damage. The library’s architect for the original building was identified in the discussion as Ralph Adams Cram; commissioners mentioned that in describing the building’s architectural significance.

Motion and vote: The motion to provide a letter of support for the library repointing application was made by Rick Mancini and seconded by Connie Soule. A roll-call vote recorded "yes" from Rick Mancini; Connie Soule; John Lima; Joyce Rodericks; Jason Bouchard; and Araki, and the motion carried unanimously.

The commission had no citizen input on the agenda and no items for the register of significant structures. Commissioners said minutes from the Jan. 28 meeting were not ready and would be prepared for the regular March meeting. The commission is scheduled to meet next on March 18, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at Government Center.

Votes at a glance: - Letter of support for Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund application: feasibility study and structural assessment, Bank Street Armory — Motion by Rick Mancini; second John Lima; vote 6–0 to approve. - Letter of support for Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund application: exterior stone repointing, Fall River Public Library — Motion by Rick Mancini; second Connie Soule; vote 6–0 to approve.