Committee sends amended transfer of New Bedford Textile School to redevelopment authority with timeline and proceeds conditions

The New Bedford Committee on City Property voted to refer to the full City Council an amended motion to transfer the city-owned property at 1215 Purchase Street, commonly known as the New Bedford Textile School, to the New Bedford Redevelopment Authority (NBRA) for development. The committee approved several amendments that set conditions on the transfer.

The committee first voted to offer the property for sale or lease for residential development and then voted to transfer the property to the NBRA for development. Councilors amended the transfer motion to permit mixed use on the first floor, to require that care and custody of the property revert to the City Council if the redevelopment authority does not have the property under agreement with a developer within 18 months (the property committee may extend that period upon majority vote), and to set how sale proceeds would be split: the NBRA may retain proceeds to cover its costs and 10% of the remaining proceeds; 90% of the remaining proceeds would revert to the City of New Bedford's general fund. Committee roll calls recorded the amended referral as passing 8-0.

Committee members and staff discussed key practical matters before approving the referrals and amendments. Josh Amaral, the city staff presenter on this item, described steps City staff believe would make the building more marketable: an initial building envelope assessment, laser scanning to create accurate as-built plans, targeted roof assessment and likely stabilization, abatement and cleaning removal of interior materials, and other preparatory investments. Amaral said a drone flight had been used to assess the roof and that a detailed inspection was needed to distinguish between collapsed roofing and failed drains; he provided a ballpark "My ballpark estimate's around half a million dollars." for a moderate level of investment to position the building for sale and development.

Councilors expressed concern about title clarity before the NBRA invests funds. Attorney David Garatowsky, legislative council attorney, told the committee he had not completed a title exam and could not opine on specific title risks but explained that if the city did not hold clear title, a transfer would be moot; if the city does have title and a third party later claimed ownership after the NBRA had invested funds, there could be potential claims and mitigation issues the NBRA must consider. Garatowsky also advised that the committee could add conditions to a transfer, including timelines for reversion and requirements for return of proceeds above a defined threshold; councilors subsequently voted to include specific reversion and proceeds-sharing language.

Councilor discussion also covered reuse scenarios for the building and nearby Quest Center space, parking constraints in the Transit-Oriented District, and a desire among some councilors to see a short timeline for redevelopment rather than indefinite holding by the NBRA. Councilor Lopes proposed the 18-month reversion provision and led discussion on proceeds-sharing mechanics; the committee adopted his motion and two supporting amendments (mixed-use option; 18-month reversion with committee extension; proceeds split preserving NBRA costs and returning 90% of remaining proceeds to the city).

What was decided: The committee authorized offering 1215 Purchase Street for sale or lease for residential/mixed use and recommended transferring the property to the NBRA for development with the amendments described above; the matter was referred to the full City Council for approval as amended (vote recorded 8-0). Staff committed to clarifying title before any significant NBRA investment and to returning to the committee with progress reports.

Next steps: The referral and amended motion will be considered by the full City Council; staff and the NBRA will pursue title clarification, perform the recommended assessments if appropriate, and the redevelopment authority will evaluate whether to invest in stabilization and abatement work before marketing the property for sale or development.