PROJECT OVERVIEW
This project aims to provide wheelchair access to all three floors of the Town-owned Munroe building, complete with accessible, gender-neutral restroom facilities on each floor. This project will also replace the building's antique boiler with a new heat pump system to both reduce reliance on fossil fuels and to provide air conditioning for year-round programming.
For ongoing updates, read more here - munroecenter.org/construction
This project aims to provide wheelchair access to all three floors of the Town-owned Munroe building, complete with accessible, gender-neutral restroom facilities on each floor. This project will also replace the building's antique boiler with a new heat pump system to both reduce reliance on fossil fuels and to provide air conditioning for year-round programming.
For ongoing updates, read more here - munroecenter.org/construction
|
PROJECT BENEFITS
Accessibility
Updated HVAC
|
COSTS & TIMELINE
The Munroe Center for the Arts has secured funding from grants, donations, and savings to pay for architectural design work and Construction Drawings. These drawings support a cost estimate of $6.6MM for construction.
The Munroe Center for the Arts has secured funding from grants, donations, and savings to pay for architectural design work and Construction Drawings. These drawings support a cost estimate of $6.6MM for construction.
- December 2022 - CPC approved this project for use of CPA funds
- April 2023 - Town Meeting voted to approve this project for use of CPA funds
- March 2025 - Design finalized to budget, and approved by the Historic Districts Commission. Project received a final cost estimate before being put out to bid.
- April 2025 - Bid Package went out. Upon finding a contractor, the Lexington Public Facilities Department will act as the project manager.
- June 2025 - Construction anticipated to begin (detailed information of what is happening where, and when expected will be communicated through MCA website, monthly newsletter, and social media). Work is expected to occur from 7am to 3pm, away from programming areas.
- June 2025 - Summer camp begins with classes held inside in the art studios, and snack/lunch and recess breaks in the front yard (complete with a new art fence!).
FROM TOWN MEETING PRESENTATION 2023:
The Town of Lexington has established goals for both improved accessibility and sustainability, as recorded in the 2022 Comprehensive Plan, and the FY22/23 Select Board Retreat Goals. This project provides a solution for this town-owned building to achieve these goals. Additionally, it also dovetails with the 2020 Community Needs Assessment. Key findings of this report point to cultural diversity, inclusion, and accessibility prioritized as an integral part of community programming. Cultural programming was rated #1 in investment for programs, with outdoor events, senior programming, and performing arts programs listed as high priorities.
Over the past several years, MCA leadership has evaluated different possibilities for accessibility and HVAC solutions, and have found the one presented to 2023 Town Meeting to make the most sense for our community, and its continued high quality arts programming.
Acting now provides universal access to this building and services, and prevents additional costs if the boiler dies (noting that one of two boilers did die last summer, and MCA was able to bring the second aged boiler online). Second to these ethical and financial obligations, there are no further alterations that can be made to the building without first making the building accessible (MA 521 CMR).
While the price tag seems high, it will never get any less expensive. The MCA has been able to secure funds for an architect to create plans and design work to get this project out to bid and is partnering with the Town for construction costs for this municipal building. This has required a community effort to bring this project fully to reality.
For ongoing updates, sign up for our monthly newsletter
The Town of Lexington has established goals for both improved accessibility and sustainability, as recorded in the 2022 Comprehensive Plan, and the FY22/23 Select Board Retreat Goals. This project provides a solution for this town-owned building to achieve these goals. Additionally, it also dovetails with the 2020 Community Needs Assessment. Key findings of this report point to cultural diversity, inclusion, and accessibility prioritized as an integral part of community programming. Cultural programming was rated #1 in investment for programs, with outdoor events, senior programming, and performing arts programs listed as high priorities.
Over the past several years, MCA leadership has evaluated different possibilities for accessibility and HVAC solutions, and have found the one presented to 2023 Town Meeting to make the most sense for our community, and its continued high quality arts programming.
Acting now provides universal access to this building and services, and prevents additional costs if the boiler dies (noting that one of two boilers did die last summer, and MCA was able to bring the second aged boiler online). Second to these ethical and financial obligations, there are no further alterations that can be made to the building without first making the building accessible (MA 521 CMR).
While the price tag seems high, it will never get any less expensive. The MCA has been able to secure funds for an architect to create plans and design work to get this project out to bid and is partnering with the Town for construction costs for this municipal building. This has required a community effort to bring this project fully to reality.
For ongoing updates, sign up for our monthly newsletter