Arts at the Armory - Support Needed for March 4 Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting

[fefie.livejournal.com]

Arts at the Armory is seeking changes to its existing Special Permit to allow daytime use of the building for its programs and special events in the performance hall and the cafe - including concurrent events. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 4 at 6 PM in the Aldermanic Chambers, 2nd Floor of Somerville City Hall located at 93 Highland Avenue.

If the Zoning Board of Appeals grants our request, it would allow us to host matinee performances for theater, dance and music as well as offer open studios, lectures, conferences and other events of community interest in the performance hall and cafe.

Your support is needed at this meeting! If you cannot attend, please send an e-mail of support to the Zoning Board of Appeals in care of Madeleine Masters at mmasters@somervillema.gov.

Questions?
Contact Debra McLaughlin or Susan Fiedler at 617.718.2191 or email us at info@artsatthearmory.org

Comments

well, they got the daytime hours approved

[kalimba21.livejournal.com]

I'm very happy to report that, after 4 hours, this part of their request was approved in a 4-1 vote.

This opens up the space for events for kids, which makes me so happy - this is the best think I've seen happen in Somerville since I moved here 17 years ago. I am only sorry that it has taken them 4 1/2 years to get through everything to finally open. Taking this long must have cost them a bundle. We are so fortunate to have this amazing new space.

Re: well, they got the daytime hours approved

[ron_newman]

Thanks for your report. Did they approve the request unchanged -- all parts of the Armory can open at 8 am, seven days a week?

Re: well, they got the daytime hours approved

[kalimba21.livejournal.com]

Yes, they approved it just like that.
So now school groups can go to things there, and the Shakespeare matinees should be able to perform. There was an odd point saying that changes take 21 days to implement, after the matinees, but I think the intent should cover them.

The concurrent events got dropped, due to getting bogged down by what the total capacity would be allowed to be.

Re: well, they got the daytime hours approved

[ron_newman]

I recall that the legal capacity of the performance hall is well into the 300s. But Actors' Shakespeare Project will sell no more than 199 tickets per show, because of their agreement with the Actors' Equity union.