NORTHAMPTON — A new outlet for the arts is in the works on Hawley Street.
The Northampton Community Arts Trust and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts led a dozen community partners and local officials Tuesday afternoon through the renovations in progress at 33 Hawley St.
Though the former Northampton Lumber property is still in the early phases of construction with exposed steel beams and industrial lights strung from the ceiling, trust president Richard Wagner brought the building to life as he walked from section to section, filling the empty spaces with plans for the future.
“This center for the arts will be a portal for groups around the Valley,” Wagner said. “It’s a performance and events space … Use your imagination. You can do it here.”
The total cost of the project is $6.4 million, Wagner said. The trust purchased the building for $1.5 million in October 2013 and began renovations last August. Phase 1 of construction, which Wagner said cost $1.925 million, is expected to be completed by the end of this year, according to Katie Allan Zobel, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts president.
The first phase of the project focuses on transforming the building into an energy-efficient space, Wagner explained. Using “super-efficient high-density foam” and installing solar panels on the roof will keep operating costs low, he said.
Wagner said the trust tried to incorporate the existing features of the building, including existing steel beams, the wood floor of the dance studio and lower-level bathrooms.
“We tried to be mindful of making use of what was here,” he said.
When the second phase of construction is complete, the building will hold a dance studio, community workrooms, an approximately 220-seat black box theater, a visual arts gallery space, a flexible event/performance space, a lobby, a mezzanine and a box office. That phase of the renovation will cost $2.5 million, Wagner said. Ample parking surrounds the building with over 100 parking spaces.
“You could easily have five different things happening in this building at a time, that’s the exciting part,” said Northampton Center for the Arts Executive Director Penny Burke during the tour. “As soon as the doors are open, this building will be in use all the time.”
After performance groups have used the space for some time, the trust will take reaction under consideration before beginning the third phase of construction to build out the black box theater with catwalks and equipment, Wagner said.
According to Zobel, the building will fill a unique need in Northampton.
“The arts are such a critical part of a vibrant, healthy community,” Zobel said. “The arts feed the soul, they are an important part of education and a well-rounded community.”
Zobel said she is proud to work in collaboration with the trust to create an artistic hub for the community. The project was funded in part by a $50,000 Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts challenge grant, she said. The grant required the Northampton Community Arts Trust to match the appropriation, a strategy that motivates community members to donate, Zobel said.
The trust is in the middle of a $5.2 million capital campaign to cover the first two phases of renovations. The project has also received some funding from the state and city, Wagner said, along with a $100,000 gift from Smith College.
Northampton Economic Development Director Terry Masterson, who took part in the tour, said the space will be an economic driver in the city when the renovation is complete. He said the space will add desirability to the city’s downtown and increase foot traffic.
“It’s a real home run for the city,” Masterson said.
Mayor David J. Narkewicz agreed, saying the center will provide an outlet for the arts community and join Click Workspace and the St. John Cantius Church independent living project for seniors as another positive way to expand downtown.
“People want to be in Northampton,” Narkewicz said.