FALL RIVER — The former Frank M. Silvia School and annex on Hartwell Street that was recently leveled by fire is again being considered for sale — but this time, the dusty lot itself will hit the market.
The spot, a prime piece of real estate near downtown and the city’s bus terminal, and at a major exit off Interstate 195 to the city, is being bid on by developer Tony Cordeiro.
“I want to build something nice,” Cordeiro told members of the City Council Committee on Real Estate on July 8.
Cordeiro and his company have developed multiple commercial and residential properties in downtown Fall River, including a project on Bedford Street that’s currently in progress. He told councilors he’s “chasing a dream” when it comes his vision of a 42-unit building that could supply space for commercial uses at that corner.
“We’re going to change that area,” he said. “It’s going to be beautiful.”
The former Silvia School: Fall River has had trouble selling it
The former school was built in 1902 and has been vacant since 2003.
Around 2017, the City Council sold the badly neglected building to real estate developer and businessman David Hebert, on the promise to redevelop the property into a boutique hotel and restaurant. After the plans did not materialize, a reverter clause allowed the city to retake the property. The city attempted to resell the property for $20,000 but a flaw in the bidding process canceled any progress.
On March 1, a portion of the condemned complex caught fire; it was demolished soon after. Four juveniles have been charged with arson.
Alex Silva, president of the Preservation Society of Fall River, said the site was considered for brownfield redevelopment in the days before the fire.
The city conducted a walk-through of the property on May 12 open to all interested parties. Proposals for the property were due on June 6, and at the time only one proposal — “a valid bid,” said interim purchasing agent Rebekah Pontes — was received from Cordeiro.
At the June 24 meeting, councilors referred the lot’s potential sale to the real estate committee. City Councilor Bradford Kilby, who chairs the committee, asked for a prompt meeting, given the trouble the city has faced in the past in selling the property.
“There’s been absolute compliance” with state and local laws, said Assistant Corporation Counsel Kenneth Fredette, though he clarified that just because it’s one proposal, “doesn’t mean we’re stuck with it.”
Councilors warm to Cordeiro’s plans for Silvia School property
Cordeiro owns property farther north at 60 Hartwell St., where 2024 plans to build market-rate lofts have been put on hold.
Cordeiro said his plans for the former Silvia School would be a building containing a mix of affordable and market-rate units, for which Cordeiro said he is partnering with the Community Development Agency.
He described having tenants who would walk dogs, shop and reinvigorate the downtown area.
Committee members called Cordeiros’ reputation and impact in the city “impeccable.”
In accordance with an unbiased proposal process in which city property is sold, the amount of the bid has not been revealed.
After garnering a unanimous yes at the July 8 meeting, Cordeiro’s proposal will be referred to the proposal review team and undergo another analysis before being referred back to the Committee on Real Estate.
