Unique Newton School One Step Closer To Receiving Crucial Funding For Renovations

NEWTON, MA — The city’s Finance and Zoning and Planning Committees voted unanimously to allocate $600,000 in Community Preservation Act Historic Research funds to assist in paying for a multi-million renovation project to the Suzuki School during the two entities’ latest joint meeting.

The Suzuki School is a nonprofit organization founded in 1986 that offers a full-day integrated arts preschool based on a philosophy of education by Dr.Shinichi Suzuki. In addition, it also offers a music program for both children and adults. It is located on 1615 Beacon St. in Newton’s Waban neighborhood in the historic Deacon John Staples House that was built during the 18th century.
Community Preservation Program Manager Mollie Hutchings presented the project to the boards as it had been previously approved and recommended by the Community Preservation Committee, which features the construction of a new elevator in the rear of the building, a central staircase, two new classrooms with one on each floor, and a 500-square-foot community room. According to Hutchings, the CPA money would fund 23 percent of the overall project, which is slated to cost approximately $2.5 million.

“This would be the first CPA project in Waban, and this is I think a very good fit for the first Waban project,” Hutchings said during the meeting. “It is a locally known building right there in the village center.”

She added that the building’s historic exterior would not be compromised.

“You’re catching us at the exact right moment because while we await our new mayor to start docketing finance items, we don’t have a whole lot to do,” City Councilor and Finance Committee Chair Becky Grossman said. “I certainly know that the school wants to move forward and is ready to go.”

Suzuki School Executive Director Sachiko Isihara gave both committees further detail on the project before the vote was taken, and emphasized that they are working to move forward with the work as the students will have to temporarily relocate.

The CPA funding comes from a one percent surcharge on property taxes on Newton residents and can be spent on historic research or preservation efforts, open space projects, and recreation projects.

The grant will now go to the City Council for final approval.

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