Central Falls council advances property purchases, easement to support housing redevelopment and new high school
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Summary
Council considered resolutions to acquire 326 Broad Street and 760 Montego Ave for mixed‑use redevelopment, proposed purchase of 767 Lonsdale for $50,000 to address blight, and a permanent easement at Brook Street to stabilize a slope near the new high school; council moved to approve the acquisitions and related authority for the mayor and solicitor.
The Central Falls City Council reviewed multiple land actions intended to support housing redevelopment and stormwater infrastructure tied to the new high school.
Council members introduced a resolution authorizing the mayor and city solicitor to acquire 326 Broad Street (the former Ted’s Auto Sales) and 760 Montego Avenue "for the purpose of housing redevelopment and green infrastructure," saying the city would pay fair market value and pursue mixed‑use development with ground‑floor retail and affordable units above.
Staff described 767 Lonsdale, a dilapidated property placed in receivership, as a nuisance that several developers had found financially infeasible to renovate. Staff proposed purchasing the property for $50,000 — the expense of the receivership to date — and applying for planning funds to demolish the structure and create green infrastructure and stormwater controls to reduce flooding near Dickinson and Lonsdale by the new high school.
On 326 Broad Street, staff said the lot is roughly 6,000 square feet and could accommodate ground‑floor retail with two floors of housing (an estimate of six to 10 units); the city plans a developer solicitation and has discussed local housing groups and a nearby restaurant owner who expressed interest.
Separately, the council considered acquiring 67–69 Brook Street and negotiating a permanent easement at 63 Brook Street so the city can regrade a slope and install riprap to stabilize the hillside for the high‑school track and field. Staff said property owners for the affected lots have been consulted and that appraisals and small land‑swap proposals have been part of negotiations.
Council members asked questions about valuation and funding. Staff said acquisition funds would come from a revolving housing trust fund seeded with ARPA dollars; that fund has been used for housing projects and retains balance from prior sales and seed funds. Council moved to approve the resolutions and requested authority for the mayor and solicitor to effectuate the transactions.
The meeting record shows the motions to advance the acquisitions were called and recorded as passed. Specific closing terms, sale documents and final appraisals were not included in the discussion and remain to be completed as staff negotiates offer terms and applies for demolition or planning grants.
