Citadel/castle building on Highland

[teko.livejournal.com]

I noticed that someone's doing extensive rehab to the long-vacant castle/citadel looking building on Highland Ave. Anyone know what it's going to be used for?

Comments

[timclark.livejournal.com]

http://www.artsatthearmory.org/

[smacaski.livejournal.com]

Aw shucks, you beat me to it.

[timclark.livejournal.com]

I win!

[teko.livejournal.com]

Awesome, thanks! You're speedy!

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

GLENN DAVIS

[smacaski.livejournal.com]

I believe you're talking about the old Armory. It's going to be an arts center (http://www.artsatthearmory.org/).

[timclark.livejournal.com]

Also: http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2004/05/06/new_owners_plan_to_use_somerville_armory_for_arts/

[qwrrty.livejournal.com]

I'm praying they're going to make it into a dungeon.

[cnoocy]

You're thinking of the Armory in San Francisco.

[qwrrty.livejournal.com]

A boy can dream!

[jbsegal.livejournal.com]

Had I but had the money when it was for sale...

[firepail.livejournal.com]

I know! My husband I really wanted it...it would be easy to defend from a zombie or hippie invasion.

[eclecticavatar.livejournal.com]

They've been working on it for several years and it never seems like it gets any closer to completion, sadly. Maybe they've finally gotten their acts together and the money to really do some actual work.

[smacaski.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you'll notice their website hasn't been updated since 2006. I wonder if they're still accepting tenant applications. :P

[cutieperson]

as of a few months ago they said they still had tenants lined up.

[firepail.livejournal.com]

they have actually done quite a lot in the last year. I got to peek in the other day as the front doors were propped open.

[arrowintwolakes.livejournal.com]

I walk by it every day on my way to work and, while it's been subtle, it has pretty radically changed over the past two months. Lots of new asphalt all over the place, new painting, it looks like all the doors and windows and their frames have been replaced. I've been wondering what it was for a while but never bothered to research. The cynic in me supposed it was something religion-based, but to find out it's going to be an art space makes my day!

[spatch]

They actually gave up on the project so I took it over and I'm making the most awesome kickass fort ever, you should come check it out.
We've already got the comic book posters up, and I'm moving the dorm fridge and dirty magazines over next week.

[elements.livejournal.com]

I'm all for the arts, but that sounds kinda awesome. It would be better if somehow we could lift the armory up on tree limbs, though.

[purpless77.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how I feel about it going to the arts and some apartments as the site says. I'd like to see it be an actual museum with restoration.

[aquastar.livejournal.com]

Its only going to 2 apartments ... those two being work/living space as I understand it.

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

It was supposed to be completed about a year ago, in fact, I got a postcard advertising an event that was supposed to take place there last November! I hear that they have been unhappy with the restrictions of their building permit and have tried (unsuccessfully) to circumvent it. They added some things that subsequently needed to be removed. They seem to be trying desperately to eventually turn it into some type of club/restaurant, but the city hasn't allowed it. My understanding is that it is only permitted to be an arts center, with classes, exhibits, etc.

[firepail.livejournal.com]

They are not trying to turn it into a restaurant or club. That is one of the issues they have been fighting since they first bought the space. The older residents have been fighting the Armory project saying that it will cause more problems than Anthony's currently does, and since the Sater brothers run clubs/restaurants in Central, people seem quick to believe that they want to open a nightclub at the Armory. The Armory is slated to have two artist in residence living spaces, gallery spaces, a cafe, and public art spaces--no restaurant, and no nightclub.

Many Ward 5 residents have been defending the Armory project and trying to end the rumors that the Sater brothers want a nightclub there.

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

Perhaps you should delve a little deeper. One of the reasons the project has been delayed is that city inspectors found them installing a kitchen which they were not permitted to do. They were forced to remove it. Hmmmmm, there's certainly something fishy going on there.

[firepail.livejournal.com]

Fishy? I don't know. I don't think a kitchen necessarily means restaurant. It was supposed to have a cafe, and many public spaces, churches, and halls have kitchens and don't sell food nor prepare food regularly. I don't think a kitchen is indicative of them trying to open a restaurant on the sly. As the space is supposed to house something good for the community, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

[fefie.livejournal.com]

Not so much a fishy situation as a cash flow situation as far as the slow progress. The exterior is now being painted, and some work has started on the grounds. I love the front doors that were recently installed.

[firepail.livejournal.com]

Me too! I am hopeful about the armory and look forward to it opening.

[ron_newman]

I don't see any valid reason for people to object to a restaurant, though. Does Caffe Rossini down the street cause any problems for its neighbors?

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

My understanding is that they were installing the necessary plumbing for cooking, which they do not have a permit for. They did this intentionally, despite the restrictions on the permit. Just because they are proposing an Arts Center (and I think their real plans go much further than that), doesn't mean they get a pass.

[firepail.livejournal.com]

My understanding is that you are against the Armory, and no matter what they do, you will consider it a terrible devious thing. So they weren't installing a kitchen, they were installing plumbing? Criminal! Clearly they shouldn't be allowed to house artists or gallery space there... not with extra plumbing on the premises!

No, I'm not saying they shouldn't follow the law, but I think you are trying to imply that the Armory is a front for some secret awful thing (that sells food apparently) rather than an art center for the community that features public space, a cafe, a gallery, and artists in residence. As I said before, many public spaces have kitchens, it doesn't make them restaurants. It isn't fair to damn the project and the people that have have worked hard on it because of some kitchen plumbing.

Besides, you said they removed the extra plumbing. Clearly they are moving forward... without a kitchen. They made it right. I am looking forward to the opening of the arts center.

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

Wow....you're very defensive. I have no feelings towards the space one way or the other, and have followed the issue only minimally. However, in that minimal involvement, I have seen them several times go beyond the scope of the approved project. After it was approved they began talk of hosting live bands - this was not in the original proposal. They actually rented it last fall for an event which had to scramble at the last minute for an alternate location because the space was a).not completed, b).did not have occupancy permits. They were then found to be installing a full kitchen, including the plumbing necessary for stoves and other cooking necessities. Yes, they removed it, because they HAD to. Their intention was to add a full kitchen, probably hoping they could then get the OK to keep it. I also seem to remember the original proposal including space for classes for kids, perhaps after-school activities, but since the rehab began, it seems to be moving more toward performance/living/working space for adults. These actions have caused me to distrus the owner/developer, and I think that regardless of the use proposed, one must follow the approved plan. And as far as the suggestion that I am someone who has opposed the development, that is untrue, although I can see now why the neighbors have opposed it. I've been burned in my own neighborhood by developers who were, shall we say, less than honest, and I have found that if you live nearby any development in this city today, you must stay on top of things because the city doesn't always do it for you. I don't fault those who live near the space for being concerned.

[firepail.livejournal.com]

If you have no feelings one way or the other about the space, then why have you posted the same thing 4 times? And please, defensive? Pot, meet Kettle.

Also, when you are commenting on a specific comment, you should reply to that comment and not the original posting.

kitchen

[kalimba21.livejournal.com]

My understanding, from attending 2 neighborhood meetings a while back, is that the Sater brothers wanted a kitchen so that they could have warm food at art openings. I heard that they bought the building to give back to the community and never intended a central square type development. A small cafe in front, with light food, would have helped them to fund the larger project, but the resistance to cooking from the beginning has prevented this,it seems. I felt embarrassed for our community when I saw how people spoke to them at the neighborhood meetings. In my opinion it was quite ugly, and appeared to be the work of only a few people. A few families had members scattered throughout the room, acting like they didn't know each other, repeating the same challenges over and over at both meetings I attended. I suspect they are still doing all they can to stall and disrupt the project.
I personally think this project has the potential to be amazing. As a neighbor, I look forward to bringing my kids and enjoying this fabulous new space. I just hope the project can be pulled off. This is the first time I have seen up close how ugly and insular our community can be.

Re: kitchen

[firepail.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this. I think the project could be amazing too.

[ron_newman]

Live performance spaces are good for our city! We need more of them.