Academy CPA Application 2018COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PROJECT APPLICATION COVER SHEET
I: Project Information
Project Title:
Academy of Music Theatre Restoration Phase II
Project Summary: The Academy plans to implement its next phase of restorations,
which will complete the auditorium restorations with house and architectural lighting,
and finish the opera boxes to allow for patron seating. The interior lobby will be
restored to complement the auditorium by repairing and painting the walls and
ceiling in the lobby and salon; provide LED lighting, preserve the wheelchair
accessible bathroom; and lastly, draft BID documents to enlarge and enhance the
public bathrooms to accommodate patrons.
Estimated start date: ___6-1-18__ Estimated completion date:_2-1-19__
CPA Program Area (check all that apply):
Open Space x Historic Preservation
Community Housing Recreation
II: Applicant/Developer Information
Contact Person and or/primary applicant: Debra J’Anthony
Property Owner (if applicable): City of Northampton
Organization (if applicable): Northampton Academy of Music, Inc.
Mailing Address: 274 Main Street
Daytime phone #: 413-584-9032 Fax #: n/a
E-mail address & Website:djanthony@aomtheatre.com, www.aomtheatre.com
III: Budget Summary
Total budget for project: 100,900
CPA funding request: 96,900
CPA request as percentage of total budget: 96%
Applicant’s Signature: ___
Date Submitted: ____12-27-17
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Please read the entire CPA Application & Review Process before
beginning.
2. Complete the application Cover Sheet.
3. Include the following information:
• Narrative: A description of the project and, when applicable, of the property
involved and its proposed use. Include responses to the following questions:
o Project location, including address and parcel number
o What Community Preservation criteria – both general and program-area
specific – does this project meet?
o What community need(s) does this project serve? If the project serves
multiple needs and populations, please describe them. If the project serves
a population that is currently underserved, please describe.
o What specific guarantees will assure the long-term preservation of the
project?
o What community support does the project have? Explain the nature and
level of the support.
o How will the success of this project be measured?
o Is ongoing maintenance and upkeep required? If yes, please explain how
this will be accomplished.
• Project Budget: The total budget for this project, including specifically how
CPA funds will be spent. All items of expenditure must be clearly identified.
Include project quotes, or show why this is not appropriate or feasible. List any
additional funding sources, either committed or under consideration. Include
commitment letters if available.
* If the application submission is for a community housing project, please submit
a development budget and a sources and uses budget. Also, community housing
home ownership projects shall include an affordability analysis, and community
housing rental projects shall include a five-year operating budget.
• Multi-Year Funding: If the project is expected to continue over more than one
year, or if bonding the project is anticipated, please provide annual funding
requirements.
• Project Timeline: Explain the various steps of the project and when they will
be completed.
• Feasibility: List and explain all further actions or steps that will be required for
completion of the project, such as environmental assessments, zoning or other
permits and approvals, agreement on terms of any required conservation,
affordability or historic preservation agreements, subordination agreements, and
any known or potential barriers or impediments to project implementation.
• If the project is for open space acquisition, a CR or APR is required. A
third party holder of the CR or APR must be identified.
• Maps: USGS topographical map, assessors map, or other map as appropriate,
showing location of the project.
• Visual materials: Photographs, renderings or design plans of the site, building,
structure or other subject for which the application is made.
• Page numbers: please number all of the pages in the application.
4. Include the following attachments, if applicable and available:
• Record plans of the land
• Natural resource limitations (wetlands, flood plain, etc.)
• Zoning (district, dimensional and use regulations as applies to the land)
• Inspection reports
• 21E Reports and other environmental assessment reports
• Mass. Historic Commission Historic inventory sheet
• Historic structure report or existing condition reports
• Existing conditions report
• Names and addresses of project architects, contractors, and consultants
• Evidence that appropriate professional standards will be followed if construction,
restoration or rehabilitation is proposed
• Documentation that you have control over the site, such as Purchase and Sale
agreement, option, or deed; or explanation of how the proposed project will
proceed in the absence of site control.
• Evidence that the proposed site is free of hazardous materials or that there is a
plan for assessment and/or remediation in place
• Letters of support sufficient to document clear endorsement by community
members and groups, and, where appropriate, by municipal boards and
departments.
• Any other information useful for the Committee in considering the project
CPA BUDGET: ACADEMY OF MUSIC RESTORATION PHASE II
1. Repair and paint inner lobby, salon, wheelchair accessible bathroom, upstairs and
downstairs hallway
$11,000
2. Remove lobby chandelier and add LED tube lighting
$13,000
3. Salon lighting and permanent history archive display
$4,000
4. Finish auditorium lighting, stenciling, carpet, seating and rails
$54,000
5. Architectural plans and BID documents for expanding and renovating downstairs
bathrooms
$9,900
6. Colorist Jonathan Kohrman for color selection, glazing lobby ceiling and
stenciling opera boxes
$9,000
Total: $100,900
CPA PROJECT TIMELINE
July 2018: Begin bid documents for downstairs restrooms.
August 2018: Begin color selection for lobby area, hallway and downstairs hallway, and
wall treatment for salon.
September 2018: lighting selection for hall, lobby and salon. Begin selection of
photographs and documents for history archive display.
October 2018: Floor selection for wheelchair accessible bathroom.
November 2018: Finish bid documents.
December 2018: Order lighting for hall, lobby and salon. Order railings for opera boxes.
January-February 2019: Install lighting for hall, lobby and salon. Repair and paint
lobby, salon, and hallway, and downstairs hallway. Stencil opera boxes. Glaze lobby
ceiling.
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CPA NARRATIVE
The 126-year-old Academy of Music Theatre, located at 274 Main Street, Northampton,
Massachusetts seeks Historic Preservation funds to complete the 2014 auditorium
restorations. By upgrading the house lighting fixtures with period-appropriate
architectural lighting, and restoring the opera boxes to allow for patron seating. The
interior lobby and salon will be restored in keeping with the 2014 auditorium restorations
by repairing and painting the walls and ceiling and upgrading the incandescent lighting to
LED lighting. A permanent history exhibit, including archival items, will be curated and
placed on display in the salon. Design documents will be prepared to better accommodate
a contemporary audience and best manage the historic features.
The Academy of Music Theatre is one of the architectural jewels of Western
Massachusetts with over a century-long tradition of presenting local and international
talent on stage and on screen. The building contains an 816-seat theatre whose full-fly
proscenium stage and full-size cinema screen are unique in the region. The Academy
offers high-quality drama, dance, music and film to Northampton and the Pioneer Valley
area’s diverse audience, while providing a much needed home for community-based
performing arts groups. The Academy serves over 55,000 patrons with 148 performances,
annually. In addition, we offer performing arts education for area children, ages 7-15.
Built in 1891 by Edward H. R. Lyman, the theatre was deeded to the City of
Northampton in 1892, becoming the nation’s first municipally owned theatre. Many
nationally renowned theatre and music stars have graced the Academy’s stage, from
Sarah Bernhardt, Ethel Barrymore, Boris Karloff and Mae West to John Philip Sousa,
Jeannette MacDonald and George M. Cohan. The original lighting design was inspected
and approved by Thomas Edison, and the trap door that was cut in the stage for Harry
Houdini’s disappearing act is still used today. In 1912, the Northampton Academy of
Music was lauded for another first: the first municipally owned resident theatre company,
The Northampton Players. Notable performers included Frank Morgan, who later went
on to play Oz in the acclaimed film The Wizard of Oz, and William Powell of The Thin
Man, among others.
Currently, the Academy’s programming and services reach a broad constituency, which
embraces the Five Colleges (UMass and Smith, Amherst, Mount Holyoke and Hampshire
colleges), the LGBT community, children and families throughout the Pioneer Valley,
and the populations served by NPR and PBS (whose local affiliates are strong
institutional supporters of the Academy), among others. Local organizations have come
to count on the Academy’s prestige, seating capacity and technical facilities for their
high-profile public events. Our reach goes beyond our back yard with 20% of our
patrons visiting from further than 50 miles, adding tourism dollars for our community.
The Academy offers scholarship funds to area families in need for youth programs; offers
free rental for the KidsBestFest, JFK Middle School concert, and Northampton’s
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First Night; and, provides thousands of complimentary tickets to social service agencies
for events.
In an ongoing community effort, the Academy of Music has raised funds over the past six
years through individuals contributions, foundations, local and state grants, the City of
Northampton, and the Community Preservation Act to preserve the historic integrity of
the building; serve the advanced technical requirements of the performers and arts
organizations who use our stage; enhance the audience experience; and, address safety
issues. During these past six years, we have raised 1.5 million dollars toward these
efforts, one million of which went toward historic preservation.
The Academy is listed on the State Register of Historic Places and has a deed restriction
controlling changes to the interior and exterior of the building. We have had all interior
and exterior design work reviewed and approved by the Massachusetts Historical
Commission. The Academy was awarded the 2015 Massachusetts Historical Commission
Preservation Award for the complete restoration of the auditorium, including restoration
of the interior plaster and paintwork, installation of new seats, and replacement of the
roof above the stage.
In 2015, the Academy, along with Northampton Central Services, drafted a priority list
for capital improvements. Since then, the Academy has upgraded its soft goods on stage,
installed a new sound system, added railings to the wheelchair seating sections, renovated
the upstairs dressing rooms, and is currently upgrading stage lighting equipment at a cost
for a total cost of $75,000. Currently, the city has earmarked $70,000 for foundation
repair at the rear of the building and replacement of the stage door stairs. Items identified
on the CPA Academy of Music Restorations Phase II project are on the list of priorities.
Completing the auditorium restorations will allow for improved house lighting, assisting
with both patron safety and meeting the Academy of Music Theatre’s aim of preserving
the historic integrity of the hall. When the Academy opened on May 23, 1891, the
audience was bedazzled by the lighting of the house and stage. A chandelier was
suspended from the center dome, displaying 64 incandescent lamps, and as the local
paper described “radiating like the points of a star.” There were over 400 incandescent
lights distributed throughout the house and 250 lights on the stage. Thomas Edison, who
came up to inspect the lights, remarked on their placement and completeness.
We have since lost our radiating star with 64 lights, several wall sconces and lighting
beneath the balcony overhang. We now have 51 lights distributed throughout the house.
This project would allow us to work toward bringing the house back to its brilliance by
replacing the 25-watt incandescent wall scones with LED 100 watt equivalent light bulbs
and architectural appropriate wall scones, and add additional pendant and ceiling lights
under the balcony overhang. Additional architectural lighting will be installed on the
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front of the balcony to light the proscenium arch. Thomas Douglas Architects selected
lighting fixtures that are historically appropriate to the auditorium and are a close
approximation to the original wall sconces. The CPA committee in the 2013 application
had previously approved this lighting project, however, funds were depleted during the
major renovation project in 2014 and we were unable to install the new lighting.
The Academy plans to add opera box rails, seats, and carpet that would allow the venue
to reopen the boxes for seating that had been in use for 122 years. The Academy has not
been able to re-open the boxes since the 2014 restorations due to the condition of the
carpet and the lack of rails on the upper boxes, which gives rise to safety concerns. Plans
to stencil the opera boxes were not met during the previous restorations due to budgetary
constraints. The Academy plans to complete the stenciling in the opera boxes with the
intention of preserving the theater’s historic integrity, keeping with the character and time
period of the original stencil treatments.
The inner lobby area, along with the salon and hallways leading downstairs to the
restrooms were not restored in 2014. They were last decorated in the 1940s with the
lobby painted in the art deco colors of maroon and gray. The Academy plans to complete
restorations in the patron areas by repairing and painting the inner lobby to compliment
the auditorium’s décor and highlight the lobby ceiling with LED tube lighting placed
above the cornice. Plans are to apply a decorative glaze to the lobby ceiling, which was
the technique employed for the auditorium ceiling. The salon area will have new lighting
installed to accommodate a permanent history display with pictures and historically
significant documents and artifacts.
Lastly, the Academy plans to preserve its accessible bathroom on the main floor. New
flooring will be installed and the walls will be repaired and painted. We plan to create
design documents for expanding the stalls-only restroom downstairs and to renovate the
stalls and urinal restroom downstairs, including a privacy wall for the urinals. As
described in The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, funds would
allow us to draft design documents to expand and better serve our patrons while
preserving as much of the architectural bones and amenities as possible. Currently, there
are but six stalls and three urinals for 816 patrons and 7 staff members during our many
sell out performances.
The Academy of Music Theatre receives wide support for its care of the building, its
preservation efforts in maintaining the historic integrity of the building, and its upgrades
that enhance the artist and audience experience. Our economic impact on Northampton
has been viewed as a success story, whereby, we currently generate $2.7 million in
consumer spending annually with $935,000 in downtown meals and beverages, $829,000
in hotel revenues, and $58,000, annually. See Exhibit A.
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The Academy, in addition to creating a capital improvement priorities list, has created a
capital replacement account that has helped us to replace and upgrade technical
equipment, as well as pay for the architectural drawings for the wheelchair accessible
ramp. We have also included in our budget maintenance on capital improvement items,
which include bi-annual touch up painting for the auditorium walls and trim, refinishing
the unprotected mahogany door on the park side, and the repair and upkeep of technical
equipment. The Academy of Music Theatre will carry out any and all repairs required to
preserve this renovation project.
John Sanders
DSP Shows
PO Box 736
Ithaca NY 14851
9/7/17
Community Preservation Committee
City of Northampton Massachusetts
Dear Community Preservation Committee:
I am writing to share my enthusiastic support of The Academy of Music’s grant proposal to complete
the restoration of the theatre’s auditorium in addition to new projects that will improve the lobby,
salon and restrooms. As partner and talent buyer of DSP Shows, I have produced over 50 music and
comedy events at the Academy of Music since April of 2015 with internationally recognized artists
like David Crosby, Melissa Etheridge, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Brandi Carlile, Hannibal Buress
and more.
The Academy of Music is an invaluable asset to the city of Northampton and the surrounding
communities. The building’s history tells the story of the people of Northampton over the past 125 years.
This project will not only help preserve this history and share it with the community, but will also help tell
the stories of Northampton’s residents for many years to come.
In my work as a concert promoter, my goal is to provide artists and audiences the best experience
possible. By making these improvements, the Academy is showing its commitment to being a premier
venue for nationally touring artists while also meeting the needs of the many community groups who call
the venue home. This project will help me bring more events to the venue which will in turn bring more
people to downtown Northampton.
In conclusion, I believe this project to be extremely important to the continued success of the Academy of
Music and hope you share this assessment. If I can be of any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to
contact me by phone at 773.891.3463 or by email at john@dspshows.com
Sincerely,
John Sanders
Partner/Talent Buyer
EXHIBIT A
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
David J. Narkewicz, Mayor
City Hall
210 Main Street Room 12
Northampton, MA 01060-3199
(413) 587-1249 Fax: (413) 587-1275
March 20, 2017
To: Debra J. Anthony
Executive Director, Academy of M usic
Fr: Terry Masterson
Re: Academy of Music Economic Impacts
Brief History
The Academy of Music is the nation’s first municipally owned theater dating back to 1891
when a Northampton based businessman and philanthropist, Edward H. R. Lyman built the 800
seat theater and deeded ownership to the City of Northampton. Today, the Academy is an all
year venue for live theater, as well as dance, film, music and education.
Summary of Economic Value: $3.5 Million in Consumer Purchases/Ticket Sales
The Academy of Music is Downtown Northampton’s leading visitor destination based on not
only total ticket sales but a consistent weekly delivery of patrons visiting downtown
Northampton and its many shops and restaurants. Please note the following economic
impacts for 2016:
• 55,000 patrons w ith 148 performances and events
• $3.5 Million in total annual sales and purchases including
• $188,000 in total tax revenues to State and City
• $1.4 Million in ticket revenues
• $935,000 in downtown meals and beverage purchases
• $829,000 in hotel revenues
• $58,000 in city tax revenues and $130,000in state tax revenues (meals and hotel tax)
$2.7 Million in Annual Consumer Spending
2016 2015 2014 2013
Performances 148 116 116 103
Ticket Sales 55,000 50,228 50,228 49,908
Ticket Revenues $1.400,000 $665,000 $665,000 $527,000
Meals/Beverages $935,000 $850,000 $850,000 $833,000
Hotel Room Revenues $829,000 $750,000 $750,000 $750,000
Hotel Guest Spending $331,000 $450,000 $450,000 $450,000
Total Consumer Spending $2.1 Million $2.05 Million $2.05 Million $2.03 Million
Total Spending $3.5 Million $2.71 Million $2.71 Million $2.56 Milllion
2
$1.9 Million Tax Revenue Generation Over 10 Years
It is fair to assume that over a 10 year period, the Academy will generate over $1.9 million in
sales, meals and hotel room tax revenues to the State and City based on conservative
estimates of consumer spending by Academy patrons. See below for 2016 Table of Tax
Revenues:
2016 Academy Tax Revenue Generation for State and City of Northampton
Tax State Rate City Rate Amount Total Tax Revenue State Portion City Portion
Meals 6.25% 0.75% $935,000 $65,449 $58,437 $7,012
Meals/Hotel Guest 6.25% 0.75% $431,400 $30,197 $26,962 $3,235
Hotel Room 5.75% 6.0% $829,000 $97,407 $47,667 $49,740
Total Revenues: $2.2 Million $193,053 $133,066 $59,987
Reference Sources for Economic Impact Estimates
(1) Ticket sales, attendance and performance numbers are from the Academy
(2) Meals tax is 7.25% ( 6.25% state portion – 0.75% city portion) www.mass.gov/dor
(3) Hotel tax is 11.75% (5.75% state portion -6% city portion)
(4) Meals purchases are estimated at $35 per person which is cited by ArtsUSA.org
(5) After performance drinks are estimated at $20.00 per person.
(6) Hotel room rate estimate is $125.00 per night with 1.5 guests per room
Methodology for Purchasing Estimates
In March of 2009, the City of Arlington, Virginia and the Crystal City BID (Business Improvement
District) and the Arlington Commission for the Arts issued a report, “The Economic Impact of
Theaters in Arlington County, Virginia”
(1) This report analyzed consumer spending before and after a theater performance
(2) And then factored in different percentages of patrons w ho ate, drank or w ent home.
This report was based on polling and surveys of patrons who attended Arlington theaters.
Northampton Assumptions
Based on the percentages used in the Arlington report, the following more conservative
assumptions were made for this memo.
(1) 40% of Academy patrons had dinner (Arlington used 54%)
(2) 15% of Academy patrons had drinks after a show (Arlington used 13% to 21%)
(3) 8% of Academy patrons are out of state or in Boston which is 4,000 ticket orders or 8,000
visitors staying one night or a weekend. 8,000 visitors x 1.5 guests per hotel room = 6,000
Hotel Room Nights (HRN).
(4) As noted above, w e assumed $125.00 per night for a hotel stay w ith 1.5 guests per
room. This number is well in line with room occupancy standards and Hampshire County
room rates.
Debra J’Anthony
The Academy of Music
274 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
October 18, 2017
RE: Accessible bathroom in the Academy of Music
Dear Debra
Here are my comments regarding your question about the age of the first-floor accessible bathroom at
the Academy.
I spent a few hours looking at the bathroom location and all of the utilities serving the room. The
bathroom is just off of the former “Ladies Lounge” next to the inner lobby. The toilet is at the back of the
room under the balcony stair and the sink is in the outer area of the room directly above the theater’s
mechanical room. We speculate that the toilet is in its original location and the sink may have been
moved to make the room handicapped accessible. Typical of many Ladies Lounges in historic theaters,
there would be a small bathroom adjacent for women’s use. Men were able to use a larger room within
the basement.
All of the plumbing, both waste and water supply, are routed through the basement and up to this
room. The sink is serviced by pipes in the basement boiler room and the toilet is serviced from exposed
pipes in the basement men’s bathroom. These two basement rooms are adjacent to one another.
It appears that the pipes are very old. The water is soldered copper pipes and the drain looks like it is
possibly galvanized pipe leading to cast iron mains. All of the pipe is painted. The drain is probably
undersized according to modern standards. This pipe has threaded fittings which is unusual for a
commercial building and would never be allowed under today’s codes. The water supply appears to be
fed from a pipe with a very old and corroded valve and threaded fittings. This type of pipe and fitting is
not the norm for modern construction methods.
There also appears to be a very old metal vent in the bathroom. I may be connected to a fan in the attic,
but it is my guess that this vent was used to exhaust bathroom odors. I have not seen another vent like
this in other parts of the building.
While I can’t accurately put a date on these fittings, it certainly appears that the work was done decades
ago and might be consistent with turn of the century work.
Best regards,
Tom Douglas
Thomas Douglas Architects
A2Z Science & Learning Store
57 King Street, Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: 413-586-1611 - Website: A2ZScience.com
To the Northampton Community Preservation Act Council,
It is my great pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for the Academy of Music
Theatre in their efforts to seek Historic Preservation funds to complete auditorium
restorations.
As small business owners in Downtown Northampton the local role of the Academy of
Music has been paramount. It is a both a true gem and landmark of Northampton. It also
has a significant impact on maintaining what Northampton has always been famous for.
A beautiful combination of art, culture, and community. The Academy truly embodies
and embraces these characteristics and as someone who lives in Northampton my home is
better for it.
For further perspective I have also been involved in organizing full events and
performances at the Academy. It is a theatre and venue unlike any other. Standing on the
stage is a truly special and magical experience. It reminds us how unique and significant
a theatre experience can be in today’s technology driven world. The recent improvements
the Academy has completed also made it much easier for us to run events there and
guests never end commenting to us on how incredible their experience in the venue was.
Improved interior setup, lighting, and sound means our event looks and feels that much
better. And I can tell interacting with the staff there is new energy and excitement which
encourages me to want to work with them more. With additional improvements and
funds the Academy would be able to truly withstand the test of time and be ‘the
destination’ locally for performing arts. And as someone with a business in town getting
people to come experience Northampton has never been more important.
By investing in the Academy I truly feel it is an investment in our community and our
future. Thank you for your consideration.
-
André Boulay
Phone: 413-586-1611
Email: Andre@A2ZScience.com
3 0 N O R T H M A P L E S T R E E T F L O R E N C E , M A 0 1 0 6 2
www.youngatheartchorus.com
September 8, 2017
Dear Members of the Community Preservation Committee,
I wanted to add my voice to the many in our community who eagerly anticipate the completion
of the auditorium restoration along with the lobby and hallway work at the Academy of Music
Theatre in Northampton. Community Preservation funds will be well spent and continue this
miraculous turn around of this beautiful historic theater.
I began producing shows at the Academy of Music for the Young@Heart Chorus in 1985 and
also produced many shows for the Northampton Arts Council starting in 1992. I can attest to
how far the theater has progressed since those early days. The current director Debra J’Anthony
and the board led by President Andrew Crystal have a vision to bring the Academy into the 21st
century and they have sparked a change that not many of us could imagine possible.
I retired from the Arts Council in 2013 but I continue to produce two shows a year for the
Young@Heart. Our audiences are made up of people who attended events at the Academy of
Music since the 1930’s. They fully understand and appreciate the significance of the changes that
have been made in a theater that is regarded as the jewel in the crown in Northampton.
Sincerely,
Bob Cilman
Director, Yong@Heart Chorus
P.O. Box 2114, Amherst, MA 01004 www.starlights-youth-theatre.com starlights.yt@gmail.com
September 7, 2017
Starlight’s Youth Theatre, Inc. support for Northampton CPA funding of Academy of Music facility
Starlight’s Youth Theatre, Inc. has been serving hundreds of youth in the Valley for the past ten years.
We provide high quality theater education under the direction of Cynthia Strycharz. Our focus is on the
development of the child using theater as the tool.
For the past 6 years, each May, we have produced a larger spring musical with our older students at the
Academy of Music. We “move-in” to the Academy for a week as we prepare for and then put on our
shows. The Academy stage is highly desirable along with Academy staff of professionals. Starlight really
values the use of this unique arts facility.
A major concern for Starlight is the safety and accessibility for our youth and families and to that end we
appreciate the enhanced building safety issues that have been tackled to date. The accessible bathroom
upgrades and the accessible stage upgrades will further enhance the participation of our community.
Our audience attending performances at the Academy range in age from families to grandparents and
lots of folks in between. With public investment in the building, we are hopeful the cost for the use of
the space for rent and personnel will continue to be accessible to our program.
We value the Northampton area and its support of public funding for beautiful public spaces, especially
our friend The Academy of Music.
Sincerely,
Paul Stallman, Board President
Clare E. Bertrand, Board Treasurer
Cynthia Strycharz, Artistic Director
Starlight’s Youth Theatre, Inc.
Friday, September 8, 2017
To: Northampton Community Preservation Act committee
From: Tony Lechner, Rock Voices, lnc.
Re: Letter of recommendation for Academy of Music
Dear committee members,
As the director of Rock Voices, a large community choir with a footprint in MA, CT, and VT, I
have had the privilege of leading our performances at the Academy since 2014. We also
perform at university music halls, public school auditoriums, and churches, but there is nothing
like the joy-for both Rock Voices choir members and our audiences-that comes from
performing at the Academy. We typically sell out our shows each year at the Academy, and
we hope to continue to do so for many years to come.
Rock Voices members are so grateful to have the chance to perform on the very same stage
as big-name artists, in a place so rich with local history. With the impressive stage lights,
sound, and curtains, taking the stage at the Academy is a rock-and-roll dream come true for
many of our members. Our audiences similarly are "wowed" by the space, and are thrilled to
see their friends and loved ones shine in that environment. They often remark on how lovely
the Academy is, too!
We fully support the Academy's efforts to continue to restore and improve this historic theater,
which is truly a beloved community space. Restoring the opera boxes will not only increase
capacity but also make a "packed house" feeltruly special. An inner lobby that matches the
beauty of the auditorium would lend even more gravltas to the building, and honor its
historicity. Most of all, we are particularly pleased that the Academy plans to install ADA-
accessible bathrooms, as a few of our choir members use wheelchairs, and this has
presented some difficulties. These improvements will help the Academy and all those who
perform there create unforgettable experiences for audiences for decades to come.
Sincerely,/Z*
Tony Lechner
Founder & Executive Director
Rock Voices, lnc.
Community Preservation Act funding for the Academy of Music Theatre, Northampton
Pioneer Valley Ballet has performed at the Academy of Music Theater for 40 years. Our performers and
audience member come from within and beyond the Northampton community. Our PVB families attend or
perform in our productions of The Nutcracker and spring ballets generation after generation. We are a
mainstay of dance programming at the Academy as we are a resident company. This means that we utilize the
space multiple times a year. Our audiences enjoy the performance of a full ballet set in such a beautiful
theater. The theater itself lends a grandeur to our productions that other theaters are not able to offer. As
we have a long-standing reputation in the area, people associate PVB with the Academy of Music Theatre.
Every improvement means an improved experience for our audiences and the performers themselves. We
receive feedback about the amazing space during our educational outreach performances. The classes from
local schools, kindergarten to grade four, arrive in this building for the first time with delight. The historic
nature of the theater space is not something they may encounter every day and so every visit or performance
is a memorable one.
Please continue to support the Academy of Music Theatre. Our organization benefits from every dollar that
you provide for the areas of improvement in that building. These funds create new audiences at PVB for
another 40 years.
Martha Potyrala
Program and Operations Director
Pioneer Valley Ballet
116 Pleasant Street, Suite 155 Easthampton, MA 01027 Tel:413.527.6363
www.pioneervalleyballet.org
99 Pleasant Street
Northampton, MA 01060
P. 413-584-1900 F. 413-584-1934 W. www. explorenorthampton.com
September 8, 2017 Community Preservation Act Committee
City of Northampton
210 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
2017 Board of Directors
Matthew Bannister
PeoplesBank
Julie Cowan
MassDevelopment
Jay Czelusniak
Czelusniak Funeral Home
David DeSwert VICE PRESIDENT
Smith College
Jody Doele PRESIDENT
Thornes Marketplace
Robert Fazzi
Fazzi Associates, Inc.
Derrick Feuerstein
Debra Flynn
Eastside Grill / Slainté
Ruth Griggs
RC Communications
Debra J’Anthony
Academy of Music Theatre
Rich Horton TREASURER Community Enterprises, Inc.
John Majercak Center for EcoTechnology
Noreen Mickiewicz Hayes
ServiceNet, Inc.
Russell J. Peotter EX OFFICIO
WGBY Public Television for Western
New England
Robert Reckman
Michael Rifanburg
Daily Hampshire Gazette
Julia Sorensen
Cooley Dickinson Health Care
Christopher Whelan
Florence Bank
Al Williams
Northampton Community Television
Dear members of the committee:
On behalf of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, I’d like to strongly endorse the Academy of Music’s application for Community Preservation Act funding. The Academy’s transformation to a premiere performance venue has rescued this historic landmark and brought immeasurable benefits by expanding our cultural offerings and supporting our local independent economy. The success of both the restoration and expansion of programs is a great testament to their vision and their ability to create a sustainable future. They have demonstrated over and over the results of good management, good leadership and the importance of community support o their continued success. The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce works closely with cultural and hospitality industry partners to bring new visitors to our area. As fiscal agent to the newly formed Hampshire County Regional Tourism Council, we are expanding our destination marketing program and its emphasis on our cultural offerings. The Academy of Music Theatre is poised to benefit from the state’s investment in new tourism marketing and ready, with your help, to welcome more visitors through its doors. Thank you for considering the Chamber’s endorsement. Good luck with your review of, I’m sure, many worthy applications. I do hope that this one rises to the top
and gets a unanimous “yes” from the committee.
Sincerely and with thanks for your efforts,
Suzanne Beck Executive Director