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MUNROE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
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Capital Project 2024

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

Interior stairs going up, and going down from middle floor
Existing rusty boiler with hole in it
PROJECT BENEFITS
​

Accessibility
  1. Elevator access to 3 floors of programming by people who cannot use the stairs - for example:  seniors visiting artists or needing to get heavy painting supplies upstairs to a class, grandparents wanting to watch their grandchild's ballet recital on the top floor, a job applicant needing to get upstairs to the MCA office, or a parent with crutches needing to pick up a young child from class
  2. Wheelchair accessible, gender-neutral restrooms on each floor
  3. New main entrance, accessible to all
  4. Americans with Disabilities Act compliance

Updated HVAC
  1. Replacement of aging boiler that is nearing the end of its life
  2. Reduction in fossil fuel consumption, utilizing a new heat pump system
  3. Air conditioning in all areas of the building to meet 21st century needs per rising global temperatures, longer warm seasons, and summer programming
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.  
  • 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
Transcript available for Accessibility & HVAC upgrades overview video

ATM Slideshow 3.29.23
Get ready for our 2025-26 Capital Project construction this Spring - learn more

1403 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington MA 02420 • 781-862-6040 • Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm
 Lexington Friends of the Arts dba Munroe Center for the Arts • 501(c)(3) EIN:  04-3245366
Copyright © 2019 Munroe Center for the Arts
Images may not be copied without permission from Munroe Center for the Arts and/or the artist(s) who created the image(s).

  • About
    • History & Vision
    • Contact Us >
      • Staff
      • Board of Directors
      • Artists
    • Transportation >
      • Parking
    • Newsletter
    • Annual Report
    • Munroe Media >
      • Profiles
      • Testimonials
  • Classes
    • Ceramics >
      • Summer Adult Ceramics
      • Summer Youth Ceramics
    • Theatre
    • Visual Arts >
      • Summer VA
      • Spring Youth VA
    • Music
    • Dance
  • Workshops
    • Ceramic Chimes
    • Meditative Stitching
    • Printmaking >
      • Cyanotypes
      • Aging Artfully Series
    • Intergenerational Art
  • Camps
    • Summer Camp
    • CIT Program
    • Summer Songwriting
    • Vacation Weeks
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events >
      • Artist Networking >
        • SeasonalSuites
    • ArtWalk
    • Art Gallery >
      • In The Gallery
      • Exhibit Your Art / Curate a Show
    • Past Events >
      • PatriotsDay
      • Lex Open Studios
      • LexLuxTour
      • Holiday Market 2024
      • HorseSculpture
      • Munroe Center Stage
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Sponsors
    • Volunteering
    • Jobs
  • Construction
    • Access