Alice Russell’s House to be Demolished Soon

The ongoing fight to save the eight homes that abut Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River is soon to cease—-lost to the powers that be that decided that a flat top parking lot was a better choice than building a parking deck on their established parking area.

One of the eight homes has some historical significance to the city of Fall River as it was the former home to Alice Russell, Lizzie Borden’s friend, and the woman to told the Grand Jury that she saw Lizzie burning a dress in the kitchen stove at 92 Second Street just days after the murders. If Alice had not come forward with her eyewitness testimony, it is doubtful whether Lizzie Borden would have been indicted—and history might never have heard of this woman who seems to captivate us now so much.

Regardless, this just in from Southcoast Hospital Group, the non-profit owners of Charlton:

Dear Charlton Neighbors:

I wanted to give you an update on the progress of the construction of the Charlton parking lot project.

Southcoast Hospitals Group has contracted with JRD Construction Inc. of Assonet for the project. JRD filed with the city for a demolition permit on Monday, April 27, and we hope to have the permit by the end of this week.

You will begin to see fencing erected around the houses over the next few days. The houses are no longer occupied and, once the permit is issued, demolition could begin as early next week.

We will do everything possible to minimize disruptions to you and your neighbors during this process.

When we met earlier this month, there were several questions regarding salvaging and recycling materials. All materials are separated on site for recycling and the contractor has advised us that about 95 percent of the materials will be recycled. In addition, items such as railings, newel posts, hardware, acceptable appliances and plumbing fixtures will be salvaged, unless they are in disrepair.

Once again, I wanted to thank you for your patience during this process. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

– Jim

“Don’t it always seem to go, you don’t know what you have till it’s gone. They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.” —Joni Mitchell

Big Yellow Taxi

They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot spot
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got
Till it’s gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

They took all the trees
Put ’em in a tree museum
And they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to see ’em
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got
Till it’s gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

Hey farmer farmer
Put away that D.D.T. now
Give me spots on my apples
But leave me the birds and the bees
Please!
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got
Till it’s gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

Late last night
I heard the screen door slam
And a big yellow taxi
Took away my old man
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got
Till it’s gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot