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Date: 3/21/2023
EASTHAMPTON – Phase 1 of the restoration of Easthampton’s Old Town Hall has been completed and the CitySpace project now approaches Phase 2.
CitySpace Board President Burns Maxey told Reminder Publishing that as they approached phase 2 of the project, “we are on the cusp of a historic transformation of Old Town Hall.”
Maxey explained that the project was broken up into phases coming out of the first year of the coronavirus pandemic after CitySpace had already launched the campaign. The organization looked at their options with Kuhn Riddle Architects to split the project into several phases in order to keep construction momentum going during this time of inflation and supply chain challenges.
“I am proud to say, we have completed the half-a-million-dollar Phase 1 of the project that lays the foundation for the next steps of the restoration with electrical and HVAC upgrades, adding new efficient systems to the building,” Maxey said.
Now as they move to Phase 2, excitement of the project continues to grow. Phase 2 has three prominent features according to Maxey. The $2.2 million project will offer a new entryway, elevator and a restored stained-glass window that will be prominently displayed. Construction fits with the current structure according to Maxey but is differentiated so as not to take away from the historic integrity of the building.
For the first time in the building’s 154-year history, all floors are being made wheelchair accessible with an elevator and new entryway from the basement to the 2nd floor balcony. Maxey called accessibility “so deeply critical” when discussing inclusion and providing true equitable access.
“Imagine those who have never been able to experience the second flood grand hall – or no longer are able to, they will see it firsthand after adding this entryway and elevator,” Maxey said.
The $1.25 million of funding from Easthampton’s Community Preservation dollars will more than match the required funding the phase 2, but in order for the project to go out to bid, the full backing must be established. Maxey explained because of this, the CPA award that was voted through by Easthampton’s City Council this past week was “instrumental” in moving the project forward.
“CitySpace is closing the gap of the funding needed for the rest of the project,” Maxey said. “The timeline for Phase 2 includes setting the release of the bid in May 2023. Construction will take about a full year to complete. With funding in place, it will be followed by Phase 3, the completion of the restoration of the 2nd floor into a state-of-the-art flexible, accessible, inclusive and affordable performing arts venue with an opening date in 2025.”
The overall project costs through all three phases are estimated now totaling $8.6 million according to Maxey.
Maxey explained that while CitySpace established architectural plans in 2018, this project has been in the works for over two decades. He added that during all this time there have been numerous community gatherings envisioning what Old Town Hall could be.
“It’s the most prominent historic Easthampton building centrally located on Main Street that welcomes people with its ornate Italianate architecture. The founders of the building build Old Town Hall with future generations in mind. Once it was a municipal building with town offices, and not it’s a destination for creativity and community,” Maxey said.
Maxey credited his team at CitySpace, and the other parties involved for their hard work on a project so close to the community.
CitySpace also has a long-term lease of 44 years that was established in 2019 with the city of Easthampton to fully maintain and restore the Old Town Hall. The organization, established in 2006, is an autonomous volunteer-run nonprofit that manages and restores Old Town Hall as a center for the arts for Easthampton and Western Massachusetts.
The organization provides affordable space to arts organizations and creative businesses such as Big Red Frame or Easthampton City Arts. These businesses in turn offer free or low-cost arts programming for the community. CitySpace also manages and provides programming in a 175-person/80-seat performing arts and event venue called the Blue Room.
“There is a vast amount of professional expertise that is involved in restoring Old Town Hall and building CitySpace as a thriving organization by folks lending their time and energy to the restoration and activation of the city-owned building,” Maxey explained. “It’s a feat in volunteerism and a testament to Easthampton’s dedication, to see when a city has limited resources, as an opportunity, rather than a challenge to mobilize efforts to reimagine Old Town Hall for future generations.”
CitySpace is invited the generosity of others to be a part of the campaign for the transformation of Old Town Hall and to give us a lift for the elevator and entryway. In addition to the $3.5 million committed by Easthampton’s Community Preservation Committee for the restoration of the city-owned building, a growing number of foundations, grants and businesses have funded the project according to Maxey.
Maxey noted they have already had over 600 donors assist in the restoration project with donations ranging from $10 all the way up to $250,000. He added there is also a chair naming program for $500 that is filling fast as they have 350 chairs available for the future performing arts space. Donors will sponsor a chair and a plaque with the name of their choice in tribute will be added to the back.
Maxey reiterated they were excited to be breaking ground on the next phase of the project.
Those interested in taking a tour of the building or learning more about the project may contact CitySpace at 282-7705 or visit cityspaceeasthampton.org. CitySpace is hosting an Open House on March 30 from 5-7 p.m. and the public is invited to come out and learn more about CitySpace and visit Old Town Hall.