02/22/2026
Congratulations to CitySpace! This is great news!
EASTHAMPTON, MA - CitySpace announced today that it has been granted a $3.5 million Congressionally Directed Spending award to support the restoration of Easthampton’s historic Old Town Hall, marking a major milestone in the long-term effort to transform the landmark into a fully accessible, multi-level center for arts, culture, and community life. The funding will advance the next phase of work to restore the building’s second floor as a 350-seat performing arts venue, dramatically expanding public access and cultural opportunity in the heart of downtown Easthampton.
The federal funding was secured through the leadership and advocacy of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, with particular recognition of U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren, whose offices worked closely with CitySpace and local partners to advance the project.
“The restoration and development of Easthampton’s Old Town Hall serves as a shining example of what is possible when a community has a vision,” said U.S. Senator Ed Markey, “CitySpace, local leaders, and the Easthampton community have breathed new life into this historic structure, transforming a stranded municipal asset into an anchor of the local economy and a nexus for community initiatives. I am proud to partner with CitySpace and the City of Easthampton to bring forward federal support to advance this important project.”
“CitySpace’s restoration of the Old Town Hall is about building a better, more vibrant future,” said Senator Warren. "This federal investment is an important step in supporting new cultural and economic opportunities for artists and organizations throughout Easthampton and the surrounding communities.”
Located at the heart of Easthampton’s Main Street Historic District, Old Town Hall is one of the city’s most prominent civic buildings. Owned by the City of Easthampton and stewarded by CitySpace through a 40+ year lease, the building is being restored and activated as a center for the arts through a unique public-private partnership that has kept the space in active use while undergoing phased improvements.
“This $3.5 million federal investment is a powerful vote of confidence in Easthampton’s vision for Old Town Hall and in the extraordinary work of CitySpace to bring that vision to life. With the leadership of Senators Markey and Warren and our entire congressional delegation, we are transforming a historic landmark into a fully accessible, multi-level center for arts, culture, and community. This project honors our past while building a more vibrant, inclusive future, strengthening our downtown, supporting local artists and small businesses, and creating a gathering place that will serve generations to come,” said Mayor Salem Derby.
Celebrating its 20-year anniversary this year, CitySpace has brought new energy to the first floor of Old Town Hall, transforming the historic space into a vibrant hub for exhibitions, performances, workshops, markets, and community gatherings. Since its founding, CitySpace has led the thoughtful reuse and restoration of the building, providing affordable and accessible space for artists, nonprofits, and small businesses. Through dynamic arts and community programming, CitySpace plays a vital role in strengthening downtown vitality and supporting Easthampton’s local economy.
Since 2014, CitySpace has led a series of restoration efforts to stabilize and improve Old Town Hall, including the current Phase II project to add an elevator serving all four floors, dramatically expanding accessibility in the 157-year-old building. The granted federal funding will advance the restoration of the second floor, creating a 350-seat performing arts venue in the space that once served as the building’s historic meeting hall. When complete, the venue will reestablish Old Town Hall as a major civic and cultural destination for Easthampton and the region.
“We are deeply grateful to Senator Markey and his team for their leadership and advocacy, to Senator Warren for her continued support, and to the entire Western Massachusetts congressional delegation for recognizing the importance of this project,” said Michael Tautznik, Treasurer of CitySpace and former Mayor of Easthampton. “This $3.5 million earmark is the result of strong collaboration across federal, state, municipal, and local partners who believe in investing in shared civic spaces. It is truly transformative, accelerating the restoration of Old Town Hall’s second floor and securing its future as a vital public, cultural, and economic asset for Easthampton and the region.”
Planned second-floor improvements will bring to life a flexible performing arts and community venue complete with a green room, offices, restrooms, and dedicated storage. Once complete, the second floor will significantly expand CitySpace’s capacity to host performances, public gatherings, and regional events, drawing new audiences to downtown Easthampton. This transformation will energize the local economy through increased foot traffic, support small businesses, and reinforce Old Town Hall’s role as a vibrant civic and cultural anchor.
With the completion of the second floor, Old Town Hall will serve as both a community and arts destination and a catalyst for economic activity in downtown Easthampton. This federal investment provides critical seed funding to move the project into its next phase, while additional public and private support will be required to fully fund construction and bring this long-envisioned community asset to life.
CitySpace also recognizes that this milestone builds on years of local and regional investment that made earlier phases possible, including major support from the Easthampton Community Preservation Act Committee, as well as state (Mass Cultural Council and Mass Development), individual, businesses, and foundation donors.
About CitySpace
CitySpace is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) CitySpace is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and activating Easthampton’s Old Town Hall as a center for affordable arts, culture, and community gathering. Old Town Hall, built in 1869, is a historic building centrally located in downtown Easthampton in the Main Street Historic District. Through exhibitions, performances, and public programs, CitySpace supports artists while fostering connection, creativity, and civic life in western Massachusetts.
For more information about the restoration project, please visit cityspaceeasthampton.org.
