Saying that moving Fall River forward “requires a cooperative effort of both Government and those directly affected by the contemplated plans of Government,” Mayor Correia extended invitations to approximately 150 business and building owners in the Central Business and Waterfront Districts, to attend a forum on revitalization at the Cultural Center on South Main Street on May 21, 2008. Businesses leaders were asked to attend and participate in “an open and candid discussion of issues, potential strategies, and exchange of ideas and suggestions for implementation in order to address issues of concern to those directly affected.” The Mayor, together with the Fall River Office of Economic Development, and the Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce, has been working on the development of plans for the revitalization of the Downtown and Waterfront areas. “These plans address issues relative to parking, business development, sign themes for businesses and buildings and directions to area attractions, waterfront ramp relocations, waterfront usage for recreation and business use, and many other issues – all as components to assist in the overall effort for the economic development objectives and efforts of the City of Fall River,” said the Mayor in his invitation letter to businesses. The forum demonstrated what has been done thus far in the revitalization initiative and what plans are being developed to further implement revitalization strategies for the affected areas. Click here for the Herald News article about the forum. For more information about this forum and forthcoming events, contact the Mayor's Office at 508-324-2600. Click here to see photos of the City's Master Planning meetings.
 

(Top row, center and right) Mayor Correia welcomes about 100 people to the forum before introducing executive vice president of the Office of Economic Development Kenneth Fiola and chairman of the FROED Board of Directors Alan Amaral. (Bottom row, left) Gus Suneson and others applaud the presentation by Mr. Amaral and others.