Construction work at Bombyx Center to modernize space

Bombyx leaders stand in front of a bulldozer in the parking lot. The venue is undergoing major upgrades.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

NORTHAMPTON — Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity is on the verge of setting the foundation for its future.

According to leaders of the entertainment staple, the venue is in the process of undergoing infrastructure upgrades through a campaign called “The Little Dig.”

The team at Bombyx is assuring the public that this project was designed to be swift, cost-effective and a vital step forward for the organization in addressing safety concerns, replacing outdated infrastructure and paving the way for future growth.

“We are gradually renovating a historic church built at the start of the Civil War,” explained Bombyx Executive Director Cassandra Holden. “Each step takes time and careful planning. There are always surprises. And these upgrades, which will last for generations to come, open up new possibilities for the building’s use, dancing in the Sanctuary, flexible seating for new types of performances, and of course, restrooms that make everyone in our community feel welcome and included.”

Holden told Reminder Publishing that the project is almost three years in the making and a result of thoughtful planning with Architect Marc Stemick, general contractors from DA Sullivan & Sons and Bombyx leadership. She added that Bombyx is deeply grateful to have received a Cultural Facilities grant from the Mass Cultural Council and the support of its generous community for meeting the grant’s 1:1 match to fund this project of almost $300,000.

Holden said that several different intersecting concerns are being addressed with the upgrades. This includes prioritizing the upgrade of the building’s fire safety, enhancing the experience for users of the center through its various programming and conjuring a more sustainable property.

“That’s a key piece of what we’re doing since the building was built in 1861, and a lot of infrastructure is very old. Not all of it is 160 years old, but most of it is not new,” said Holden. “We’re trying to bring all of those concerns and others together so that, as we’re moving forward, we’re making choices that prepare the building for the next 160 years.”

The first stretch of work on this project took place from April 20-24, as the crew from Karl’s Excavating replaced the existing “vintage” clay sewer pipes with modern infrastructure, and everything has already been reconnected. This essential work will support the center’s current needs and lay the groundwork for future growth, including highly anticipated artful, accessible restrooms later in the year.

Work continued from April 27 to May 1 with the installation of new connections to municipal water, which brings the building’s sprinkler system online. Holden said the new connections to city water will help properly pressurize the sprinkler system and establish a more robust water supply for the building that will support the future new restrooms and the building’s kitchen.

This work also helps lay the foundation for a change in how the building gets its energy.

“We’re going to bury our overhead power, and we’re looking at switching from single phase to three phase. That would mean that we can take our three gas-powered furnaces offline, replace them with something electrical, and then eventually get those supported by a solar installation, which we hope to do next year,” explained Holden. “It’s energy efficiency. It’s more modern, it’s more efficient. It’s addressing all these things at the same time.”

Holden said that a highlight of the first week of construction was “Touch a Truck Story Time” with High Five Books on April 22, where, despite the drizzle, over 100 families came out to safely explore the job site, ask questions about the construction equipment and listen to stories about trucks read by the team at High Five Books.

“It’s a wonderful way to invite the community in. Kids were here talking to the construction crew, looking at the holes in the ground, asking questions about the excavators. There was also a mound of dirt. Sometimes it’s really simple. There were half a dozen kids playing on a mound of dirt, because they can,” said Holden. “It was a great day for us to be able to talk about the project. While kids are exploring stuff, their parents are asking questions about what this is and why. It was a really informal, fun way to share about that, and it happened to be a rainy day during school vacation, so it was a great opportunity for families to get out of the house for a short time and do an activity.”

Holden shared gratitude for the construction team for their ability to connect with the youth and the families who are part of the Bombyx Center’s community.

Those looking to support the center’s renovation work on the 160-year-old landmark can make a donation, purchase tickets to an upcoming show or donate solar credits by contacting hello@bombyx.live. Holden said that the team at Bombyx is already planning the next upgrade for the historic building and hopes the completion of this project serves as another building block forward.

“I think in New England, one of the things that is particular about this environment is that most of our built environment, most of our infrastructure is 150 to 200 years old. We have a lot of beautiful historic buildings like this one, like the brick buildings you see in downtown Northampton or in downtown Florence that were built in the mid-19th century, and there’s so much embodied energy and history and love for those buildings and community, so it’s important as we move into the future to bring those buildings into the 21st century,” said Holden. “These projects take a long time, and I’m excited because this particular one poises us for some exciting opportunities for growth. Digging the electrical trench means that we can move ahead and install solar; it means that we can move ahead and replace our outdated heating system, things like that. This is setting the foundation.”