Preservation Society urges council to account for demolition at former Central Police Station

Alexander Silva, president of the board of directors of the Preservation Society of Fall River, told the council that demolition work underway at the former central police station at 158 Bedford Street raises concerns about transparency and the city's compliance with its historic-preservation procedures.

Silva said the Preservation Society had repeatedly asked the city to salvage architecturally significant elements — carved eagles, stone emblems, and granite pillars — so those features could be incorporated into a future memorial or display. He said the city had told the Society that contractors were being asked to save irreplaceable items, but he warned the council that the city had "chosen to bypass the city's own ordinance detaining the demolition of municipally owned historic structures" and should explain why an emergency determination was made.

"When members of the historical commission requested evidence supporting the determination, the building inspector acknowledged that no comprehensive inspection had been performed beyond looking through the building's doorway," Silva said. "Such a limited visual observation can hardly qualify as an evaluation. I respectfully urge the city council to exercise its oversight responsibilities by requesting a full public accounting of the basis for the emergency demolition determination, ensuring that all feasible historic elements are salvaged before the demolition, and reviewing whether existing ordinances governing municipal historic buildings were properly followed."

Silva asked the council to investigate whether the demolition delay ordinance had been properly applied and to require a public accounting. The council took the comment during the citizens'input portion; no formal council action on the demolition was taken at the meeting. The Preservation Society's concerns are now on the record, and Silva asked council members to consider measures that prevent similar situations in the future.

The council did not vote on an oversight motion at the time; staff and counsel were asked to track the matter and respond to public concerns if additional actions are required.

The Preservation Society's statement underscores ongoing tension between municipal property management decisions and local historic-preservation advocates. The city did not provide additional documentation during the meeting explaining the emergency determination.

The matter remains open; the council may request a formal report or schedule a follow-up hearing for more documentation.