Concerns over asbestos removal at Durfee Tech

By PBN Staff

FALL RIVER – The renovation of the Durfee Tech property has been shut down over concerns of how asbestos was being removed, The Herald News reported.

The one-acre property was bought for $45,000 by Rhode Island developers – David and Kevin Ryan, and Benjamin Burbank as 64 Durfee St. LLC – in October.

The Redevelopment Authority had been trying to sell it for three years but negotiated “for months” with the developer because they were “skeptical” that the developers were prepared to commit the necessary funding to the renovation, estimated at $1.7 million to $2.2 million.

Now, there are cease and desist notices along Durfee and Green streets, issued one week ago by Director of Inspectional Services Joseph Biszko following a complaint and an investigation, according to the newspaper.

The developers have planned to renovate the three buildings into 40 mixed-use rental units and two large commercial spaces, it said.