Fall River waterfront district plans improvements to parks, pier

FALL RIVER — The city’s waterfront is undergoing drastic changes, with the Route 79 corridor project underway and the MBTA commuter rail station opening in a few months. But advocates for the waterfront also have more down-to-earth neighborhood concerns on their minds that affect residents’ quality of life, including summer parties at the city pier and improving parks.

The Fall River Waterfront Cultural District’s management team held a meeting at Heritage State Park’s visitors center on Wednesday to air its concerns before a panel of public officials.

“We are willing to do everything we need to do to keep this district growing, and we ask that you do the same with us,” said Creative Arts Network co-founder Sandy Dennis, one of the district’s managers.

Here are five things you need to know about the meeting:

How do you get there from here?Your Route 79 shutdown and construction questions answered

The Fall River Waterfront Cultural District includes everything between Davol Street and the Taunton River from Bicentennial Park to Borden Light Marina, and Columbia Street.

Table of Contents

What is Fall River’s Waterfront Cultural District?

A state-designated “cultural district” is an area of the city that basically serves as a cultural and economic hub — a place with local character where tourists are welcome and there’s room for growth.

Fall River’s district was formed in 2020. The zone is a long strip containing everything between the Taunton River and Davol Street from just north of Bicentennial Park down to Almond Street past the Borden Light Marina. A leg of the district also extends up Columbia Street to South Main.

Who was at the meeting to answer questions?

Invited to the panel were representatives from Fall River police and fire, Massachusetts State Police, the mayor’s office, the Planning Department, Redevelopment Authority, and Bristol County Economic Development Corp.

Yoga, food trucks, music are coming to the City Pier

Sarah Page of the Redevelopment Authority said Mayor Paul Coogan’s office is sponsoring activities at the newly opened City Pier, along with the Narrows Center for the Arts and Viva Fall River.

“They are Monday Night Yoga, and Picnic Performances at the Pier,” Page said.

The Picnic Performances will take place July 13, July 27, Aug. 10, and Aug. 24, with live music from 6 to 8 p.m., along with food trucks and family-friendly fun.

“There are going to be family fun events like a kite night and lots of really fun things for kids and families,” Page said. “Those will be happening every other Thursday night through the summer.”

The city will also be ringing in the Fourth of July with kids activities at the pier from 5 to 9 p.m., a DJ at Heritage State Park, a live military band and gun salute at Veterans Memorial Bicentennial Park, all culminating with a fireworks show at 9 p.m.

Southcoast Wonders:How many Catholic churches did Fall River have, and where did they go?

Columbia Street park will get a refresh to stop ‘nefarious activities’

The long-neglected piazza at Canal and Columbia streets, across from Santo Christo Church, is due for some TLC. Dennis said the Massachusetts Cultural Council and WalkMassachusetts have identified it as a prime area to be restored.

The spot is tiled with hundreds of stone pavers, large swaths of which have been dislodged by tree roots. Most benches are in severe disrepair, and some are missing entirely. A religious statue at the park’s center has been removed.

Coogan’s Chief of Staff Ann O’Neil-Souza said the diocese owns the property but the city has long maintained it as a courtesy; however, the diocese is aiming to sell the park to Fall River for $1.

“The church has asked us to take over that property,” O’Neil-Souza said. “There’s definitely upgrades coming to that location.”

BCEDC Executive Vice President Ken Fiola added, “It’s going to be better lit, and I think there’s also going to be a camera because there’s a lot of nefarious activities that are taking place there.”