Tearing Down the Bus Station

There is an interesting discussion on The Lizzie Borden Society Forum about the changes to the Fall River Riverfront area and the proposed erection of the new Fall River Courthouse across the street from 92 Second Street. Last week there was no indication that the tearing down of the bus station which is there now had begun. But yesterday, on December 24, the city had begun erecting the fencing necessary to block off the area for demolition.

Here is a shot of the first stage of the fencing being installed. And so it has begun. What this will do to the skyline around the Borden house is anyone’s guess. My belief is that it will greatly transform the neighborhood from the semi-residential feel it has today into a bustling business mecca. We shall see.

Thanks to Michael Brimbau for the great photo.

Here is the info from the Mass Gov website:

New Fall River Trial Court
Designer – Finegold, Alexander & Associates
Contractor – TBD
Project Type: CM at-Risk
Project Cost: $70 million
Gross Square Feet: 145,000
Est. Substantial Completion Date: Fall 2009

Extensive planning for construction of the new Fall River Trial Court is underway. The courthouse will be located in downtown Fall River where the South Main Place Mall and the SRTA bus station presently reside. The building will provide space for the Superior Court and District Court, supplementing the upgraded facilities at the former Durfee School for the other court departments in Fall River.

Project Features
9 New Courtrooms
State of the art security and technology
Natural lighting to all courtrooms
Relocation of SRTA bus terminal in Fall River
LEED Silver (planned for)

Here is what it will look like when completed, from Finegold Alexander & Associates, Inc., the architects for the project: