9.21.2026 Community Preservation Committee

The Fall River Community Preservation Committee met on September 21, 2026, to consider grant extension requests and conduct eligibility hearings for upcoming Community Preservation Act (CPA) grant applications. During extension requests, the committee voted unanimously (7-0) to reject a fourth extension request from the Greater Fall River Art Association for its porch and accessibility project, advising the organization to close out remaining invoices and reapply with updated cost estimates. The committee approved two-year extensions for the Fall River Water Department's North Watuppa Pond seawall study and historic documents scanning projects.

The committee then conducted eligibility determinations for fifteen project proposals across historic preservation, open space/recreation, and community housing. All fifteen projects were approved to advance to the full application phase. Key proposals included roof replacement for Bernardo's Boxing at the former CYO building ($84,200), exterior brick restoration at the Little Theatre ($78,000 request of a $93,000 total), tower work at the Children's Museum, third-floor structural repairs at the Lafayette Durfee House, lighting and dugout improvements at Maplewood Park, elevator installation for affordable housing at the Academica Building ($325,000), bell tower masonry at First Congregational Church ($363,000 request) and St. Luke's Episcopal Church ($135,000 request), elevator modernization at Family Service Association ($380,000), sidewalk work at Kennedy Park ($400,000), Abbott Court playground completion, tower repairs at Christ the Rock Church ($260,000 request), comprehensive repairs at Bethel AME Church ($644,000 request), school garden beds through the Marion Institute, and a BMX pump track at Woodland Park.

The meeting concluded with brief project updates regarding ongoing work at the Children's Museum, the Historical Society, Christ the Rock Church, and the Little Theatre, followed by a reminder to explore resources on the state CPA website.

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