Committee hears progress on Flint redevelopment, tables resolution for later review

Fall River City Council’s Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard updates on efforts to revitalize the Flint neighborhood on Monday and voted to table a redevelopment resolution while staff and councilors work through enforcement and funding questions.

Sarah Page, executive director of the Fall River Redevelopment Authority, told the committee the redevelopment team has used ARPA funding for storefront repairs and has several housing rehabilitation projects underway on Pleasant Street. "We used ARPA funding through the city of Fall River for the repair and revitalization of five businesses in that area," Page said, adding that seven additional storefront applications were pending.

Dr. Gloria Sadler, a Flint resident and Community Development Agency staff member who runs on‑the‑ground neighborhood work, described volunteer and micro‑grant programs including the Love Your Block initiative. She said the city helped establish a community garden at Father Travassos Park and organized pop‑up cleanups. "We have all worked diligently on behalf of Flint residents," Sadler said.

The record shows staff applied for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) assisted through congressional offices for roughly $1.6 million to fund street, sidewalk, lighting and stormwater work; Page later referenced about $1.7 million in facilitation funds associated with Pleasant Street, a discrepancy recorded on the meeting record. City officials said engineering staff were preparing bid documents and hoped to advertise the work within months.

Committee members pressed staff on persistent public‑safety problems and code enforcement. Councilor Pacheco recounted reports and his own observations of open‑air drug dealing and prostitution near a bus stop adjacent to a Bank Five branch and asked whether relocating the stop or removing the bus hut should be pursued. "My concern is always for the senior citizens," Pacheco said, describing the area as dark at night and prone to loitering that deters customers.

Officials said they were coordinating with police, traffic and public‑works staff. Sarah Page noted the urban‑renewal plan was nearing final approval, which would increase the city’s flexibility to acquire and ready properties for redevelopment, but she cautioned that demolition and site‑preparation will require "millions" of dollars in additional funding.

Committee members also discussed an inventory of buildings and landlord responsiveness; staff said a local inventory and photographs exist and that some landlords have owed taxes, limiting access to permits. Michael Dion, executive director of the Fall River Community Development Agency, said the department had identified a set of blighted properties that may need acquisition or demolition, and mentioned eminent domain as a potential approach.

After discussion the committee moved and approved a motion to table the redevelopment resolution so the council and administration can continue work on enforcement, funding and next steps.

The committee did not take a roll‑call vote in the public discussion; outcomes were recorded by voice and procedural motions. Staff said they would return with further details and that engineering and procurement steps for planned infrastructure work were underway.