EASTHAMPTON — The first floor of Old Town Hall has housed arts and culture organizations for over a decade, but the second floor has remained unused and closed off to the public for nearly 20 years.
Now that CitySpace, the nonprofit that manages the Civil War-era building, has landed a 44-year lease, plans are in the works for a $6 million renovation that will convert the second floor into a 350-seat performance space.
The city of Easthampton and CitySpace finalized the long-term lease in mid-February that will allow the tenants to apply for historic tax credits and grant funding for the renovation. Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill to authorize the building lease in November and CitySpace jumped at the opportunity — the organization was granted the lease at the end of December and recently finished negotiating terms.
“This is an important accomplishment for CitySpace,” said Burns Maxey, the organization’s president. “For many years we have envisioned the Old Town Hall becoming a hub for the arts with respect to the historic integrity of the structure and have been establishing that vision throughout the entirety of the building.”
Planned renovations to the second floor of the nearly 150-year-old building include constructing a new box office, balcony access, theatrical lighting, a new sound and projection system, an elevator, and a new entryway. It is estimated to be a $6 million project.
To fund the project, CitySpace will draw from tax credits, grants, corporate and individual gifts, as well as up to $3 million from Easthampton’s Community Preservation Act Committee. In November, the CPA voted unanimously to contribute funding for the construction of a new entrance and elevators along with the renovations to the second floor of Old Town Hall.
“It’s fantastic,” CPA chairman Daniel Rist said Friday about the lease deal. He said the CPA was designed to improve the quality of life in communities and this project is a good example of that.
“We understand the significance and scope of this funding and CitySpace is incredibly appreciative of the CPA’s commitment to making this historic building fully functioning and accessible at all,” Maxey said. “As Easthampton evolves and continues to grow, we are committed to fostering affordable space for the arts and our community as well as maintaining this magnificent building.”
Currently, CitySpace’s tenants include Big Red Frame, Easthampton City Arts, and Flywheel Arts Collective.
Easthampton adopted the CPA in 2001, creating a 3 percent tax surcharge that generates revenue for projects addressing open space, affordable housing, historic preservation and recreation. In turn, the CPA statue creates a statewide community preservation fund, which distributes money each year to communities that have approved the act.
Other projects in Easthampton that have received CPA funding include the Boardwalk and Promenade Park on Nashwannuck Pond, Manhan Rail Trail improvements, the Nashawannuck Pond dredging, open space acquisition at Echodale Farm and Nonotuck Park Athletic Fields.
Luis Fieldman can be reached at lfieldman@gazettenet.com