Armory's Request for Extended Hours, Other Changes Approved
The arts venue previously said it couldn't survive unless the Zoning Board of Appeals changed restrictions placed on it.
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The Center for Arts at the Armory will be allowed to open earlier, close later, increase its capacity, operate a kitchen, apply for a liquor license and create outdoor cafe seating, according to a decision by the Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals.
The Board voted on Oct. 17 to approve the changes, which the arts organization said were necessary for the venue to remain financially viable.
At a public hearing held in September, a lawyer for The Center for Arts at the Armory said the venue was struggling to attract performances and events due to restrictions on its capacity and hours or operation, among other things. Those restrictions were put in place when, in 2004, Joseph and Nabil Sater, owners of the Middle East in Central Square, bought the mostly vacant drill hall and converted it into an arts venue. Since then, it has become a mainstay of Somerville's cultural scene, hosting charity and arts events and the popular Winter Farmers Market.
The Board's decision extends the Armory's hours to 7 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. on weekdays. Perviously, it opened at 8 a.m. and closed at 10 p.m.
On Fridays and Saturdays, the Armory will be able to open at 7 a.m. and close at 1 a.m. It previously opened at 8 a.m. and closed at 11 p.m.
The Zoning Board of Appeals also increased the capacity from 395 to 495 people. (In terms of building codes, the Armory could theoretically hold up to 904 people).
The Board also approved plans for the Armory to open a kitchen. Perviously, the cafe was restricted to serving uncooked snacks and food prepared off site.
Also, the Armory's cafe will be allowed outdoor seating.
Finally, the Zoning Board of Appeals granted the Armory, which already has a beer and wine license, the opportunity to apply for a full liquor license.
Some neighbors of the Armory opposed the changes, citing disturbances such as noise from loud parties and bands, large delivery trucks idling at late hours and parking squeeze in the neighborhood.
Related coverage
Center for Arts at the Armory Seeks Extended Hours, Other Changes
Armory 'Cannot Survive Without Some Relief,' Says Arts Center's Lawyer
In This article
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The Center for Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA -
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Somerville Winter Farmers Market
Weekly on Saturdays at 9:30 am–2:30 pm -
jo
9:37 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Who got paid to let this pass?? Ridiculous is the only word to describe it-- they lied from the start and now they get what they want?? I live in this neighborhood and work at 5 am -- does anybody care about the impact these fools will have on the people of this neighborhood-does anybody care ?? obviously the city doesn't !
grover
10:17 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Jo what would you do with the building? This is a great venue for the city that only has one house in close proximity as far as i can tell. i have NEVER been able to hear any noise outside of it other then people chatting at normal tone. Would you prefer they turn in to a rehab or meth clinic? I think not... I keep trying to find the lies you talk about and i cant find them. Please tell us more...
Paul Lowenstein
9:37 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Looking forward to what's to come from these approvals...
jo
10:03 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Apparently Paul...you don't live in this neighborhood do you?
Melissa G
9:54 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
That's great news.
While I understand the people who live close by have some adjustments and annoyances. But the Center For Arts At The Armory offers real value to the cityof Somerville, the neighborhood, and the Bostom community as a whole.
jo
10:05 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
You people kill me..............!! Just because you live nowhere near here -that means its a good thing.... i'll send all the drunks to your back yard when they get out at 1 a.m. and see how you feel then.........and what about the Little Sisters-nobody cares about all the old people being bother I guess?
grover
10:19 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
across the street at least a 100 yards away.
jo
10:35 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Well then you either don't work early or have no kids !
LB
2:31 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
You know, I can understand the worry about rowdy, drunken crowds spilling out of the venue at one in the morning except, well, it's the Armory Center for the Arts, it's not a bar. It's an Arts venue that needs to be able to sell food and drink to keep it's doors open - like a movie theater. Yes, unlike a movie theater, this venue will be able to sell alcoholic beverages but the events held there are not likely to produce drunken, rowdy crowds. Some people have to get up early and go to work, some people have children, some people have to sleep late because they have jobs that make them work at night. The City of Somerville has all types living there. The City has to care about all of its inhabitants. Sometimes what is good for the city, however, will have negative impact on some of its residents. The Armory is likely to bring people into the neighborhood who might not ordinarily visit Somerville. From an economic standpoint, this is a good thing. More money spent in local business means more jobs and more money in the city coffers. Yes, you might complain about the City of Somerville putting the potential for more commercial tax revenue above the right of citizens to sleep unperturbed, but, as you said, you have kids - a broader commercial tax base keeps property taxes lower when it comes time to pay the bill for things like schools and parks and police.
jo
4:22 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Its not an Arts Venue -it will be a nightclub just like the MIddle East that they currently own--- take a look at the police blotter in Central Square for an idea of the people who will be going to the Armory on the weekend !
grover
2:54 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
LB, Well said, I agree with you.
Sand Man
9:47 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
I think the abutters got screwed on this one...it smacks of political pressure and backroom deals from City Hall...
If there have been problems before with disturbances from Armory activities, now there will be REAL Hell to pay for abutters....
jo
9:55 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Sand Man--- Finally someone with a brain........Obviously this deal stinks of political pressure and backroom deals ................This city is so crooked its unbelievable -- if you have enough money you can get whatever you want.....we went to the meetings trying to fight this and NOBODY listened.- The armory got EVERYTHING they asked for-its ridiculous !!!!!!
jo
9:56 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
and PS Grover: you either don't really live near the armory or you are young and don't care......I have been living on Hudson St for 45 years and this will DEFINITELY disrupt our nice quiet neighborhood......you must be a renter or you would care !
Sand Man
10:04 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
jo, you (and other abutters) should record any violations of our local noise ordinance at the Armory with a camcorder and get the video footage cablecast on the public access channel at SCAT--video footage is worth a thousand words!
jo
10:49 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Good idea Sand man.........thanks !
Courtney O'Keefe
11:04 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Although I sympathize with the concerns of the abutters, I would encourage finding legal ways to deal with the issue. There are laws surrounding videotaping without consent: http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/massachusetts-recording-law
jo
11:23 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Oh please !
Sand Man
1:57 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
If an Armory event is open to the public, and the event/participants are violating a local noise ordinance, then I question whether an abutter is violating the law by documenting the perpetrators!
And to those of you who rhapsodize about a venue guilty of violating a local noise ordinance, disrupting the "quiet enjoyment" rights of abutters, your transiency is showing.
(Try living near theTufts buttheads in West Somerville who continually disrupt the neighborhoods with their late-night carousing, public urination and vandalism; yeah, rhapsodize about THAT....)
Aidan
3:28 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
For the person who asked about the Armory's lies.....What they got now is what they originally asked for. They never intended to stick to the original agreement. Part of the agreement was that they not run 'times'. Lo and behold, they started having them right away, and you guessed it, for a politician. They were told in no uncertain terms that they could not have a kitchen and could not cook food on site. Lo and behold, they were found by inspectors to be installing a kitchen. This was a bag job by the administration. I don't even live near it, but I'm just sick and tired of this administration making developers and business owners richer while the residents suffer.