Jules Desurmont Worsted Mill Returning To Manufacturing

Plastics Group of America's (TPG), pending purchase of 84 Fairmount St., the former Jules Desurmont Worsted Mill, is a positive economic and public safety step for the city.

Not only will the sale put the vacant building to use for its intended purpose - manufacturing, bringing about 10-20 new jobs, it will also scratch a big worry off the fire department's list of potential hazards. 

Mayor Leo Fontaine spoke about the plans during a meeting between city officials and the company's representatives at Costa Park across the river from the mill Monday morning. He said the spot is nearby , which houses a number of cardboard products. Both spots are close to many homes. Had the building ever caught fire, "It would've been disastrous for the neighborhood," Fontaine said.

Fontaine said the city has been working closely with TPG since learning that plans the owner Paul Mathias had for the building were not materializing. He said the city suggested 84 Fairmount as a possibility for TPG's expansion. "This has been part of the discussion for quite some time," Fontaine said.

The 6.6 acre location may have been an easy sell. "This building was so close," said TPG President Robert Lebeaux. He said his company has been operating at 1112 River St. for the last 30 years. He seemed excited about being able to expand at the Fairmount Street location. "It's unbelieveable if you go inside," he said.

Lebeaux referenced recent mill fires at adjoining properties, noting work to rennovate this building will not involve cutting torches, just saws. "There is no need to even take the chance," he said. Also, he said, there are sprinkler systems at this location.

The restoration, which will intially focus on the first floor and should be done by October/November, could employ 25-40 people, and the finished mill will employ 10-20 people permanently, said Gregory Czarnowski, a spokesman for the company.

TPG will use part of the site for storage and as a garage for company vehicles. Other uses for the building have yet to be determined, said Czarnowski.

Economic Development Director Matt Wojcik said there will be about $1 million worth of work done to the building. The restoration will also substantially increase the location's value on the city's tax rolls, possibly by many times its current value, Wojcik said. The property is valued at $737,000, according to the Woonsocket's Assesor's Online Database.

Once TPG has finished restoring the building, Wojcik said, "My job of finding tenants to move upstairs gets much easier."