Old Bedford Village Playing Host to EPA Administrator

If you're from around the New Bedford area, chances are you've heard of Old Bedford Village, but in all likelihood you can't point it out on a map.

Buddy Andrade, the executive in charge of Old Bedford Village, clarified that exactly what constitutes Old Bedford Village.

"It's the South End, Bay Village, and the neighborhood around Verdean Gardens that's bordered by County and Walnut Streets on the west side, and the Acushnet River," he said. "We adopted the name in 1997 to emphasize the historical and architectural importance of the area that was settled by the Native Americans and English colonizers."

Get our free mobile app

On Tuesday, May 10 at 2 p.m., Old Bedford Village will host Dr. David Cash, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1, for a 20-minute meet and greet at 163 Walnut Street, at Verdean Gardens in the Cruz management office, followed by a walking tour.

"We have brownfields up and down the city, and we hope to show Dr. Cash how this once-historic area has been abandoned," Andrade said. "I hope we convince the EPA that we need their support in revitalizing the Morse Cutting Tools site."

Andrade hopes the general public will take part in the meet and greet and walking tour, but also in particular, he'd like to see representatives from Parallel Products, Hands Across the River and the Parker Street toxic site be in attendance.

"We'll walk the South Central Environmental Justice Neighborhood, from 163 Walnut Street to Wing Street, and visit the brownfield site of the former Morse Cutting Tools property," he said.

Then tomorrow evening at 7 p.m., the New Bedford City Council plans to recognize Old Bedford Village for 25 years of public service.

"The Minority Action Committee helped get us started back in 1997. Today, we serve our community as a city-wide brownfields revitalization environmental justice and health organization, with our focus on the Morse site," Andrade said. "It's our goal to renew the site, and tomorrow's visit is hopefully another step closer to achieving that goal."