Showcase Site to be Used for Condos

Following a series of public hearings held during the last several months, the Zoning Board of Appeals has given authorization to developer Charles Tapalian to construct seven buildings with a total of 240 multi-family residential units, which will include 60 affordable units.

The project will be located on approximately 17 acres of land of the former Showcase Cinemas site at 800 Fall River Ave. (Route 114A), adjacent to the 405-unit Greenbrier Village apartment complex.

Tapalian bought the Showcase in 2018 for $3.7 million. The theater had closed in 2010.  

In 2019, Maine businessman Jamie Crumb approached the Seekonk Board of Selectmen about leasing the building to grow, process, wholesale and sell medical and recreational marijuana.   Crumb’s plan fell through after it was pointed out the building was not in the designated zone for marijuana establishments, known as the town’s Marijuana Overlay District.

At the same time, Tapalian had attempted to have the portion of land next to the Showcase rezoned for residential use. Voters rejected the change at a special town meeting. According to an October 2020 letter from Town Planner John Aubin to the Massachusetts Housing Partnership in Boston, there were numerous concerns about Greenbrier I including “ongoing issues with trash disposal and on-site debris/litter as well as stormwater maintenance in Greenbrier I that should be resolved prior to allowing for further capacity via Greenbrier II.”

Caputo and Wick, based in Rumford, RI, was hired to conduct a study of the potential impact on traffic. In November 2021, the firm’s findings said:

• In a period of 4 years and 8 months, the segment of Fall River Avenue from the County Street intersection to the intersection of the I-195 EB Ramps experienced a total of 155 accidents.  The intersection of Cole Street and Fall River Avenue experienced 23 accidents during this time frame with approximately 57 percent of the accidents classified as angle-type accidents.  Additionally, the Crossroads Convenience Store, which is located near the Cole Street intersection, experienced 26 accidents during the same time frame, with two of the accidents involving pedestrians.
• The study area for this project was developed in consultation with the Town of Seekonk and the Town’s Traffic Consultant, Vanasse & Associates, Inc., for assessment of potential traffic effects with respect to the proposed residential development.  The study area extends the length of Route 114A from the intersection of County Street south to its intersection with the I-195 EB Ramp.  The study also includes a segment of County Street from the intersection of Route 114A to just east of the Howland Street intersection as well as a segment of Cole Street extending from the intersection of Route 114A to the intersection of Springhouse Trail.

Documents concerning the project, including site maps, traffic studies, and lighting plans, can be accessed on the town website - https://www.seekonk-ma.gov/zoning-board-appeals/pages/greenbrier-ii-40b-project