Letter to the Editor: In response to 'Green New Deal for Posh People'

In response to the letter “Green New Deal for Posh People” (June 1), about Davoll Field, I’m writing to correct some misinformation.

1) The 4 Tannery Lane property was bought in March 2025 by the Buzzards Bay Coalition (BBC) for $725,000. BBC assigned the title to Massachusetts Design Art & Technology Institute (DATMA) so that it would qualify for a state grant. A partnership between two non-profits is required for conservation funding from the Massachusetts Conservation Partnership Grant Program. When BBC’s grant application for the Davoll Field project was not successful, DATMA conveyed the title to BBC for $1, in April, 2026. In short, DATMA spent no money.

2) DATMA never had any intention to do anything with the house, let alone “demolish” it, as the writer suggests, because it was never the owner. DATMA’s interest was only in the possibility of installing public art, and our intention was always to do that in consultation with abutters and neighbors. Every DATMA art installation since 2019 has been done in consultation with property owners or managers, with input from the community, and, in most cases, permission from the City of New Bedford.

I well know, and well understand, the strong opinions on all sides of this issue—what will happen to this iconic property, both the land and the house, at the head of the Slocums River? I’m not writing to argue one side or the other—merely to lay down the basic facts of the purchase.

Best,

Nicholas P. Sullivan

Chair, Massachusetts Design Art & Technology Institute (DATMA)