Fall River, Mass. – Governor Maura Healey joined city officials on Wednesday for a ribbon‑cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the $115 million Route 79‑Davol Street corridor improvement. The project removed a mile‑long elevated highway, opening roughly 20 acres of waterfront land for future development.
Governor highlights benefits for families and businesses
“We’re here to celebrate a city that is once again whole, a road that is reimagined,” Governor Healey said. “This project is creating safer roads, better connections and new opportunities to build housing, support local businesses and bring more people to Fall River’s waterfront.”
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced earlier this month that it had received three bids to redevelop the newly available land. While the agency has not released the details of the proposals, it confirmed that each bid is under review before a developer is selected.
City’s vision for the reclaimed waterfront
Fall River released a master plan for the property in 2025 that envisions several new buildings with roughly 1,500 housing units, along with commercial and retail space, open space and new parking options. Developers were asked to consider the city’s vision when submitting their proposals.
Mayor Paul Coogan expressed optimism about the plan, saying, “I would like to see some housing along with the first‑floor retail space, some restaurants, maybe a grocery store, a couple of bars, things that people can go to. I want to see a vibrant area that the whole city can enjoy.”
Councilor questions timing of governor’s visit
City Councilor Christopher Peckham, however, raised concerns about the timing of the governor’s appearance. “We’re in a city with a ton of problems. We have infrastructure problems, public safety related issues,” Peckham said. “The visit today, I feel, is extremely premature because we have no idea what the plan is for that land.”
Peckham declined an invitation from the governor’s team to attend the ceremony and instead invited her to tour other parts of Fall River, including his own neighborhood. “You take a walk around this neighborhood, and I would knock on every door and let these people tell the governor how they feel about the way this city and the Commonwealth is being run,” he added.
Next steps for the waterfront development
MassDOT’s review process is expected to continue over the coming weeks. Once a developer is selected, the city plans to move forward with detailed design work, environmental reviews and community outreach to ensure the project aligns with the master plan’s goals for affordable housing, local commerce and public open space.
Local residents and business owners are encouraged to attend upcoming public meetings where developers will present their proposals and answer questions. The city has pledged to keep the community informed throughout the redevelopment process, emphasizing transparency and the importance of resident input.
Balancing growth with existing challenges
While the Route 79 project promises new economic opportunities, council members acknowledge that Fall River still faces pressing needs in public safety, infrastructure maintenance and social services. The council’s discussion highlighted the importance of balancing large‑scale development with immediate city concerns, a theme echoed by both the mayor and councilor Peckham.
As the governor’s office and city officials move forward, the focus remains on delivering a project that benefits families, supports local businesses and revitalizes the waterfront while addressing the broader challenges that residents face daily.
Original reporting: NBC 10 WJAR (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
