New Bedford May Rename Street for Armand Marchand

The New Bedford City Council will consider renaming a portion of Purchase Street in front of the soon-to-reopen Zeiterion Performing Arts Center to honor the late Armand Marchand, founder of the New Bedford Festival Theater. Most of New Bedford Festival Theater's performances were at the Zeiterion.

Marchand passed away on Monday, June 24, 2025, from injuries suffered in an accident in New York City, leaving a gaping hole in the city's cultural scene.

READ MORE: New Bedford's Beloved Armand Marchand Inspired Generations

Councilor at Large Ian Abreu has submitted a motion "requesting that the portion of Purchase Street in front of the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center from School Street to Spring Street, be renamed from 'Yellow Brick Road' to the 'Armand R. Marchand Way,' honoring his over 50 years of contributions to the arts and overall creative economy of New Bedford and our region as a whole."

Abreu called Marchand a "New Bedford icon" who has "given our children and residents over 50 years of exemplary service as it relates to the arts and creative economy here in our community."

Get our free mobile app

Like thousands of others, Abreu was a member of the New Bedford High School Drama Club, performing in Marchand and his husband and co-drama club advisor George Charbonneau's final productions at New Bedford High, Miracle on 34th Street and Hello, Dolly.

"I was honored to have been one of his students, and knowing him as I transitioned from student to adult, working with him on various community projects, whether as a city councilor or during my 10-year tenure as the Business Development Director at the One South Coast Chamber of Commerce," Abreu said.

READ MORE: Armand Marchand's Enduring Impact on Young SouthCoast Performers

Abreu will introduce his motion at the July 17, 2025, city council meeting, and it will likely be referred to the Committee on Memorials & Dedications and the Mitchell Administration.

Abreu said the gesture will "further cement his (Marchand's) legacy and ensure that his name lives on forever."

READ MORE: New Bedford Names "Tavares Brothers Way" for Singing Stars