What’s the long-term plan for the Armory? A group has an idea

HUDSON – Perched along the Assabet, the Armory is primed for a renaissance.

In an announcement recently posted by the Hudson Cultural Alliance, several local artists have joined forces with architect Ed Nunes and the project’s construction team to provide input on the building’s design. The group is “creating dedicated rental spaces for art studios, classrooms, and a beautiful residency for an artist-in-residence program,” according to the announcement.

According to Tom Desmond, president and founder of the Hudson Cultural Alliance, the group is “pretty well into documents and stage design.” Hudson Cultural Alliance Secretary Pat Luoto said the project has already drawn interest from local artists, including a group wishing to install a kiln in the basement.

It would cost about $10 million to transform the space into an arts center, said Luoto.

The Hudson Cultural Alliance is actively seeking donations and grants from a variety of sources, from private foundations to the Mass. Cultural Council, which recently put up a $200,000 matching grant. While it will take some time before the $10 million goal is reached, Desmond said enough money has been raised to begin work on the building. That would include getting rid of the asbestos and replacing all the windows.

“That would weatherize and stabilize the building, and will give people a better idea of what’s going on,” he said.

Once the Armory opens, Desmond and Luoto said they’d like the site to be a center for theater and exhibits to serve all of Middlesex County.

“We want it to be a place where people don’t have to go to Boston,” said Desmond.