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. As the project winds up, the park area behind the building will be leveled and reseeded for an enhanced green space, complete with a terraced seating area for the outdoor stage.
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. As the project winds up, the park area behind the building will be leveled and reseeded for an enhanced green space, complete with a terraced seating area for the outdoor stage.
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PROJECT BENEFITS
Accessibility
Updated HVAC
Enhanced park space
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COSTS & TIMELINE
The Munroe Center for the Arts has secured funding from grants, donations, and savings to pay for architectural design work and plans for the project to be able to go out to bid. 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 plans for the project to be able to go out to bid. These drawings support a cost estimate of $6.6MM for construction.
- December 2022 - CPC approved this project for use of CPA funds
- March 2023 - Historic Districts Committee approves the building design
- March/April 2023 - Town Meeting votes on whether to approve this project for use of CPA funds
- May 2023 - Construction drawings are available for Lexington Department of Public Facilities to put the project out to bid. Upon finding a contractor, the DPF will act as the project manager
- Fall 2023 - Anticipated construction beginning
- Summer 2024 - Anticipated completion
IMPROVED ACCESSIBILITY AND COMFORT FOR OUR COMMUNITY NOW
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.
Failure to act now prevents universal access to this building and services, and may incur additional costs if the boiler dies (noting that one of two boilers did die this 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 but is unable to pay for construction costs. This requires a community effort to bring this project fully to reality. This project has been approved by the Community Preservation Committee for including in the FY24 project cycle. Now it just needs approval by our Town Meeting Members.
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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.
Failure to act now prevents universal access to this building and services, and may incur additional costs if the boiler dies (noting that one of two boilers did die this 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 but is unable to pay for construction costs. This requires a community effort to bring this project fully to reality. This project has been approved by the Community Preservation Committee for including in the FY24 project cycle. Now it just needs approval by our Town Meeting Members.
#VoteYes - Spread the word! For ongoing updates, sign up for our monthly newsletter
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