Armory Master Plan

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After a multi-year community engagement process, the City of Somerville has released the Somerville Armory Master Plan—a comprehensive strategy to preserve and strengthen the Armory (191 Highland Ave) as a vibrant community arts center. The Master Plan outlines guiding principles for operations, establishes a clear governance framework, and lays the foundation for financially sustainable management.

Alongside the release of the plan, the City has also initiated the formation of a community-based Advisory Board. This board will provide guidance to the Mayor and City Council on tenant selection and future investments in the building.

For questions, please contact: armory@somervillema.gov


About the Master Plan

The final Somerville Armory Master Plan is grounded in extensive public input gathered through meetings, open feedback sessions, and direct outreach. It reflects the voices of Somerville’s diverse communities and sets a roadmap for:

  • Clear priorities for space usage
  • A governance and programming structure that ensures transparency and accountability
  • Safeguards for community interests
  • A fair and open process for selecting tenants and partners
  • A financial model designed to ensure long-term sustainability

Read the Somerville Armory Master Plan here, or click the button below.


Somerville Armory Advisory Board

To ensure continued community involvement, the City is now accepting applications for the Armory Advisory Board. This five-member committee will advise the Mayor on tenant selection and financial planning for the Armory.

The Board will include:

  • 3 representatives from Somerville’s arts community
  • 2 Somerville residents, one from Ward 3 or 5

Applications are now open and can be submitted here, or using the button below. The deadline to apply is July 14, 2025.


Armory Request for Proposals (RFP)

The City will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) later this year. This public process invites artists, arts organizations, and creative businesses to apply for lease opportunities at the Armory.

Stay tuned for updates and details.



Project Overview

Somerville recently acquired the Armory property for use as a public Community Arts Center. The city's Economic Development Division and the Somerville Arts Council (SAC) are supervising a consultant, Create Today, LLC, to compile an Armory Master Plan will guide how the property will serve as an arts center, including a business strategy outlining how the space will be used, managed and financially sustainable.

Project Site

The Somerville Armory is located at 191 Highland Avenue, a nearly 1-acre site between Davis Square and Somerville City Hall. Built in 1903 with three floors and a basement spanning 27,000 square feet, this building contains nearly 22,000 square feet of usable space. It currently features a two-story, 5,600 square foot performance hall with a mezzanine, a ground floor cafe, large work rooms and live/work apartments on the upper floors.

The Armory first served as a National Guard facility until the 1970's and was then transferred to the Massachusetts State Police. Vacant since the mid-1980's, the site was purchased by a private owner in 2004 and renovated in 2009 as a private arts facility and performance space. The City acquired the property in 2021, and will use the forthcoming Master Plan as a roadmap to transition it into a modern public arts center. The City must follow state law in selecting future tenants through public request for proposal (RFP) procedures, and public relocation processes in helping current Armory tenants adjust to future use of the site.

After a multi-year community engagement process, the City of Somerville has released the Somerville Armory Master Plan—a comprehensive strategy to preserve and strengthen the Armory (191 Highland Ave) as a vibrant community arts center. The Master Plan outlines guiding principles for operations, establishes a clear governance framework, and lays the foundation for financially sustainable management.

Alongside the release of the plan, the City has also initiated the formation of a community-based Advisory Board. This board will provide guidance to the Mayor and City Council on tenant selection and future investments in the building.

For questions, please contact: armory@somervillema.gov


About the Master Plan

The final Somerville Armory Master Plan is grounded in extensive public input gathered through meetings, open feedback sessions, and direct outreach. It reflects the voices of Somerville’s diverse communities and sets a roadmap for:

  • Clear priorities for space usage
  • A governance and programming structure that ensures transparency and accountability
  • Safeguards for community interests
  • A fair and open process for selecting tenants and partners
  • A financial model designed to ensure long-term sustainability

Read the Somerville Armory Master Plan here, or click the button below.


Somerville Armory Advisory Board

To ensure continued community involvement, the City is now accepting applications for the Armory Advisory Board. This five-member committee will advise the Mayor on tenant selection and financial planning for the Armory.

The Board will include:

  • 3 representatives from Somerville’s arts community
  • 2 Somerville residents, one from Ward 3 or 5

Applications are now open and can be submitted here, or using the button below. The deadline to apply is July 14, 2025.


Armory Request for Proposals (RFP)

The City will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) later this year. This public process invites artists, arts organizations, and creative businesses to apply for lease opportunities at the Armory.

Stay tuned for updates and details.



Project Overview

Somerville recently acquired the Armory property for use as a public Community Arts Center. The city's Economic Development Division and the Somerville Arts Council (SAC) are supervising a consultant, Create Today, LLC, to compile an Armory Master Plan will guide how the property will serve as an arts center, including a business strategy outlining how the space will be used, managed and financially sustainable.

Project Site

The Somerville Armory is located at 191 Highland Avenue, a nearly 1-acre site between Davis Square and Somerville City Hall. Built in 1903 with three floors and a basement spanning 27,000 square feet, this building contains nearly 22,000 square feet of usable space. It currently features a two-story, 5,600 square foot performance hall with a mezzanine, a ground floor cafe, large work rooms and live/work apartments on the upper floors.

The Armory first served as a National Guard facility until the 1970's and was then transferred to the Massachusetts State Police. Vacant since the mid-1980's, the site was purchased by a private owner in 2004 and renovated in 2009 as a private arts facility and performance space. The City acquired the property in 2021, and will use the forthcoming Master Plan as a roadmap to transition it into a modern public arts center. The City must follow state law in selecting future tenants through public request for proposal (RFP) procedures, and public relocation processes in helping current Armory tenants adjust to future use of the site.

Page last updated: 22 May 2025, 11:55 AM