CENTRAL FALLS — The Diocese of Providence has announced that the former St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Academy building in Central Falls has been sold to an out of state redevelopment company.
The buyer, Civic Builders of New York, bought the property located at 909 Lonsdale Avenue from Holy Spirit Parish for $889,000. The company plans to turn the former Catholic school into an elementary school which will serve school children from Central Falls, Cumberland and Lincoln.
“The sale of the former St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Academy building is bittersweet,” said Holy Spirit Parish Pastor Otoniel Gomez. “It was very unfortunate that declining enrollment forced the Diocese of Providence to close the school earlier this year, but we are happy to have found a buyer that will occupy the space.”
“The proceeds from the sale will go toward critical improvements and restorations to our parish church,” said Father Gomez.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Academy closed earlier this year after several years of declining enrollment. The sale of the building will provide Holy Spirit Parish with the funds for maintenance and repairs of parish properties, including completion of the restoration of St. Matthew Church.
The parish will also lease parking lot spaces to the buyer which will bring in additional revenue.
The sales agreement includes that Civic Builders must restrict use of the building to elementary or middle school use and has agreed to all diocesan required deed restrictions preventing uses antagonistic to Catholic teachings.
Civic Builders is a leading nonprofit specializing in real estate and facility solutions. To finance the school renovations and preserve the historic building, Civic Builders will utilize the generous support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
