New Chair Elected as Fall River Historical Commission Backs Multiple Preservation Projects

In a development for the Fall River Historical Commission, Richard R. Mancini was unanimously elected as the new chair following the resignation of the previous chairperson. The commission, under Mancini’s new leadership, focused on various proposals seeking letters of support for Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funding.

One of the most talked-about projects was the restoration of a two-story mill on Quakeran Street, built in 1871 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nelson Rigo of Arms LLC presented this project, emphasizing the careful adherence to the Secretary of the Interior’s standards. Rigo explained that the mill’s exceptionally large windows would be custom-made to preserve the original design elements. The commission unanimously approved a letter of support for this project.

Another noteworthy proposal was presented by Patricia Todd for the restoration of windows in the mill known as American Printing Number Six, located on Anowan Street. Todd, with a deep personal connection to Fall River’s sewing factory history, sought a $350,000 CPC funding letter of support to initiate restoration work on the first-floor windows. Steve Toten from the Architectural Preservation Group joined Todd in emphasizing the necessity of restoration over replacement. The commission recognized the building’s historical significance and unanimously supported Todd’s request.

The Little Theater of Fall River also garnered attention with a request for funding to replace its deteriorating slate roof. Represented by Aaron Jenjjo Viscoco, the theater plans to use composite slate material to maintain its architectural integrity, including significant copper details. Viscoco assured the commission that the renovation would adhere closely to historical aesthetics. The project was lauded for its educational value, particularly in terms of innovative material use, and received unanimous support.

In addition to these projects, the commission discussed a significant proposal from Christ the Rock Church. Robert Canavan detailed the final phase of the church’s restoration efforts, ongoing since 2023, and acknowledged the city’s assistance. The commission offered unanimous support for the church’s project, recognizing the importance of preserving the building for community use.

The meeting further delved into the second phase of a historic inventory project within the city’s bio reserve area, led by Michael Boss. This phase aims to identify an additional thirty historic sites, complementing the ninety sites identified earlier. The commission expressed strong backing for this endeavor, understanding its role in comprehensive preservation planning.

Attention then shifted to the Fall River Waterworks Complex, specifically shed number 12, requiring a new roof and structural updates. The commission unanimously endorsed this effort.

Ehor Slicki of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Church requested support for an interior repainting grant. The church had not been painted in thirty-five years, with murals and religious paintings requiring only minor cleaning. The commission discussed the importance of color consistency and unanimously supported the project, emphasizing the church’s cultural significance.

The Keh Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption proposed a substantial $645,000 renovation project, part of a larger $6 million effort. This includes repointing mortar joints and work on windows, pews, and lighting. Concerns regarding the preservation of stained glass windows were addressed, with assurances of authenticity from specialized companies. The commission provided unanimous support, acknowledging the cathedral’s historical and architectural value.

Additionally, the commission supported a proposal from the Creative Arts Network for a survey of the Four River Waterfront Cultural District, and Battleship Cove’s request for window restoration at the Maritime Museum. Both initiatives received commendations for their contributions to preserving Fall River’s cultural and historical landscape.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
Paul Coogan
Historic Preservation Commission Officials:
Jason R. Bouchard-Nawrocki, Elizabeth A. De Block, Richard R. Mancini, Joyce B. Rodrigues, Maria Connie Soule, Ashley DaCunha, Jonathan Lima

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