FALL RIVER Drivers headed to Fall River's central waterfront get a new place to park on Thursday, Oct. 29, when a 113-space lot at 45 Anawan St. opens to the public at no charge, the Fall River Redevelopment Authority announced.
The lot is open from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week, with its entrance off Water Street. Overnight parking is not allowed. The release lists the cost as "currently free" and closes, "We look forward to making the waterfront even more accessible for residents and visitors alike."
What the lot is for
"This new lot will greatly enhance access to the many attractions and amenities along Fall River's central waterfront," the Oct. 27 release said. "Whether you're attending a concert at the Narrows, enjoying dinner at Primo on Water, or visiting the Carousel, you're encouraged to take advantage of this convenient parking option."
On the authority's list since 2019
The authority set out to buy the site seven years ago. The Fall River Waterfront Urban Renewal Plan, approved by the state's housing department in August 2019, listed 45 Anawan St., then owned by Liberty Utilities (New England Natural Gas Company), among the properties the authority intended to acquire. The plan put the parcel at 2.06 acres with a 2017 assessed value of $561,500, called for "acquisition, spot clearance" in its first phase and gave its proposed use as "Connect Gates of the City to Maritime Museum." First-phase work was scheduled for two to five years after the plan's adoption.
The same plan noted that the nonprofit that runs Battleship Cove had bought the nearby Maritime Museum and "is looking for options to increase access to parking and visibility." Battleship Cove directs its visitors to the state Department of Conservation and Recreation lot at Fall River Heritage State Park, next to Battleship Cove.
At an Aug. 23, 2023, public hearing on the plan's first amendment, the authority's presentation said it was "in negotiations to purchase 45 Anawan Street." The authority paid Liberty Utilities $698,500 for the land in July, the Fall River Reporter reported. The city assessed the parcel at $658,100 for 2026.
Who runs it
The Redevelopment Authority is an independent public authority created under Chapter 121B of state law and is not a city department. Its city page lists Sarah Page as executive director and John R. Erickson as board chair, and names its ongoing work as carrying out the waterfront and downtown urban renewal plans and owning and managing the 600 Davol St. property, which includes Norton City Pier.
Elsewhere on the waterfront, the state Department of Transportation opened three bids on Oct. 21 from developers competing for about 20 acres along Route 79 and Davol Street, the Fall River Reporter reported. Our Oct. 21 story has the bids.
How to reach the authority
The authority's board typically meets once a month at One Government Center, with each meeting posted under the state Open Meeting Law. Its office is in Room 610 at Government Center and can be reached at 508-324-2662.
Label: Reported by us, from the town's posted records.
Notes
The lot's address, entrance, hours, cost, overnight rule and purpose come from the Redevelopment Authority's Oct. 27 release on the city's press page. The parcel's history comes from the authority's 2019 Waterfront Urban Renewal Plan and its 2023 amendment file; the 2026 assessment from the city assessor's property record; the authority's staff, board and meetings from its city page; Battleship Cove's parking from the museum's own site. The $698,500 land price and the Oct. 21 bid opening are the Fall River Reporter's and are credited. We read them on Oct. 27 and Oct. 28. We checked each date and weekday against a calendar. Not heard: the authority, asked Oct. 27 what the lot cost to build and how it was paid for, the land price and closing date, how long parking stays free and who runs and patrols the lot, had not answered by Wednesday evening.
Corrections
No corrections to this story. If something here is wrong, tell us. Every correction is dated on the story and listed in our public log.
Sources (9)
- Fall River Redevelopment Authority: Waterfront Parking Lot Opening in Fall River (press release)Dated Oct. 27, 2026, posted on the City of Fall River press release page. Read Oct. 28, 2026.
- City of Fall River: Redevelopment Authority BoardStaff, board, mission, meetings. Read Oct. 28, 2026.
- Fall River Redevelopment Authority: Fall River Waterfront Urban Renewal PlanApproved by DHCD August 2019; Table 2-2, parcel N-16-0002, and Table 1-3. Read Oct. 28, 2026.
- Fall River Redevelopment Authority: Waterfront Urban Renewal Plan Amendment #1EOHLC approval letter Nov. 13, 2023, with the Aug. 23, 2023 public hearing presentation. Read Oct. 28, 2026.
- City of Fall River Assessor: property record, 45 Anawan St. (parcel N-16-0002)Value year 2026. Read Oct. 28, 2026.
- Battleship Cove: Directions and ParkingRead Oct. 28, 2026.
- South Coast 360: MassDOT opens 3 bids to redevelop 20 acres along Route 79 in Fall RiverOct. 21, 2026. Read Oct. 28, 2026.
- Fall River Reporter: Three bidders, including Fall River's Tony Cordeiro, vie to redevelop 20 acres along Route 79Oct. 21, 2026. Credited for the Oct. 21 bid opening.
- Fall River Reporter: Free 113-space parking lot set to open at Fall River's waterfrontOct. 27, 2026. Credited for the $698,500 land price. Read Oct. 27, 2026.