City of Newton, MA
Home MenuNew Art Center
61 Washington Park
Newtonville, MA 02460
Goals
Preserve and rehabilitate this historic late 19th-century former church in the Washington Park National Register Historic District, for accessibility, security, and energy efficiency. After using the building as a community college and for other educational purposes, the City of Newton sold it in 1977 for $1 to a private nonprofit organization. Ownership reverts to the City if the building is used for anything other than a community art center.
Funding
| $72,652 | CPA funds appropriated (historic resources) |
| $42,421 | Funds from other sources (including Massachusetts Cultural Council, but primarily private donations) |
| $115,073 | Total Project Cost |
Contact
Emily O'Neil, Executive Director
New Art Center
61 Washington Park
Newtonville, MA 02460
emily@newartcenter.org
617-964-3424
Funding Process
2013
- 31 May 2013 - Pre-proposal, including: analysis of historic significance & significant historic features; map & photos; deeds documenting transfer of the property from the City of Newton to a private nonprofit, contingent on the building's continued use as a community art center
2015
- 21 May 2015 - Updated pre-proposal for preservation planning, including: updated project description & scope; updated analysis of historic significance & significant historic features; map, photos & deeds submitted with 2013 pre-proposal
- 30 September 2015 - Full proposal for preservation planning, including: project summary, budgets and project manager qualifications; photos & map; analysis of historic significance; deed; and letters of support
- Full proposal attachments (these large documents may load slowly):
- New Art Center financial statements & status of strategic planning
- Building Systems Replacement Plan (2010)
- Building Envelope Evaluation (2014) and Building Envelope Evaluation photographs (posted as separate document)
- Full proposal attachments (these large documents may load slowly):
- 5 November 2015 - Presentation to CPC public hearing
- 3 December 2015 - CPC recommendation to Board of Aldermen/City Council
- 21 December 2015 - Board order (appropriation)
Project News
From Planning & Development Dept.'s Historic Preservation pages:
- Discover Historic Newtonville walking tour brochure (large file, may load slowly)
- 2008 National Register of Historic Places listing for Washington Park, including number 61
- 5 May 2016 - CPA grant agreement
- 27 August 2018 - Final report to CPC including conditions assessment of existing building. Other materials completed as part of this work include:
- 11 September 2018 - City of Newton certification that plans comply with federal historic standards required by the Community Preservation Act