Fall River Mayor Will Flanagan takes a tour of a renovated housing complex on Hargraves Street. Photo by Andrew Augustus, WPRO News.
Andrew Augustus, WPRO News
One year ago, 63 Hargraves Street in Fall River was a hot bed for crime. Now under new ownership, the housing complex is all cleaned up and providing home for many families.
“The property was riddled with code violations, it was a haven for criminal activity,” said Fall River Mayor Will Flanagan. “We were able to shut the property down, transfer the title to a more responsible property owner, and then work with that landlord to improve the property.”
Flanagan says before the renovations there was no area for kids to play and now there is a designated play and smoking area for the residents.
The tours come weeks before an election where Mayor Flanagan could be recalled and then would have to face a long list of opponents for his position back.
“I don’t govern by an election cycle, no matter if there’s a recall election or a regularly scheduled election. I govern 365 days a year,” said Flanagan.
He says the tours are not for political gain.
“I look forward to the recall election, I’m looking forward to continuing going out there and speaking with people, and there is a lot of good happening in the city of Fall River whether it’s the economy improving, public safety improving, or education improving, we’re just going to continue to make a difference,” said Flanagan.
The recall election is scheduled for December 16.
