Matters ▸ Attachment
CPC Final Funding Rec Mudflat Studio FY23 — File 23-0181
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FOR
Mudflat Studio FY23 Façade Renovation Study
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Mudflat Pottery School, Inc. requests funds to prepare an assessment of current conditions and a plan
to preserve the façade of their building at 81 Broadway in East Somerville. While the organization has
previously undertaken significant interior improvements to convert the former movie theater to a
pottery arts school and studio, exterior renovations were limited due to funding availability at the time.
Decorative elements that are original to the building now need some attention to be preserved.
Problem areas include metal trim that is pulling away, deterioration of stucco leading to water
penetration, and restoration of decorative trim elements at the top of the façade. The study represents
the first phase of the restoration project; a future second phase will entail hiring contractors to make
recommended repairs.
ELIGIBILITY
Historic Resources: This project would rehabilitate and restore a historic building.
RECOMMENDATION
On January 25, 2023, by a vote of 6‐0, the Community Preservation Committee recommended approval
to City Council that $15,000 of Community Preservation Act funds be awarded to Mudflat Pottery
School, Inc. to complete a condition assessment and plan to restore the façade of its building at 81
Broadway, as described in their application from the following account:
Category: Historic Preservation
Recommended Funding Source
Amount
Mudflat Studio FY23 Façade Restoration
Study
Historic Preservation Reserve
$15,000
Total
FUNDING CONDITIONS
The CPA‐funded portion of the project must be initiated within three years unless extension is
granted by the CPC.
CPA funds will be used only for CPA eligible expenses.
The property will be placed in a Local Historic District.
A Preservation Restriction will be placed on the property in perpetuity, to be held by the City of
Somerville.
Mudflat Studio will acknowledge CPA funding in any public communication about the project.
KATJANA BALLANTYNE
MAYOR
CITY OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
ALIGNMENT WITH COMMUNITY NEEDS
The project will enable the restoration of original elements of the building’s façade to preserve an iconic
East Somerville landmark, and will ensure that any repair work complies with historic preservation
standards. The property owner, Mudflat Pottery School Inc., is a nonprofit organization that provides
classes, workshops, artist studios, and community programming for all ages.
PROJECT BUDGET AND SCOPE
CPA Expenses
Amount
Study
$15,000
Soft Costs
2,500
Contingency
2,000
Total
$19,500
Sources
CPA funds
$15,000
Mudflat Pottery School Inc.
$4,500
Total
$19,500
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
The goals of this project are to:
• Investigate to fully understand what needs to be done to repair the façade of the building.
The full original proposal is available at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rxsj28clxkEoVxjXVpcOKlp2kdrfoF0R/view?usp=share_link