Building renovation diversifies Dudley

A thin coating of plaster dust covers the ballroom where the Ancient Order of the Hibernians once held dances, social gatherings and job recruiting events for Irish immigrants.

Workmen yell instructions up the wide staircases, feverishly renovating Hibernian Hall, a long-vacant four-story structure on Dudley Street near Dudley Square.

When Madison Park Development Corporation holds its grand opening early next year, the stretch of Dudley St. occupied by the hall will present storefronts to passers-by where for years only boarded-up windows greeted them. A new park will line Winslow Street, on an adjacent piece of property owned by Madison Park.

Inside the building, arts organizations and other groups will set up shop in offices and performance space. The centerpiece, the two-story ballroom with its rows of soaring, arched windows, will provide Roxbury residents a much-needed space for performances, weddings and other functions.

"First we thought we'd turn this into artist live-work housing -- something we know how to do," said Madison Park Executive Director Jeanne Pinado. "But when we started meeting with the community, there was a resounding cry to preserve the ballroom, that these kinds of places are getting torn down and there is no place in the community for a culture or performance center."

Hibernian Hall is expected to bring more nightlife to the area.

"Creating legal nightlife is key," said Madison Park Project Manager Celia Grant. "Dudley Square closes at five o'clock. It empties out. It's just a ghost town."

The project will bring much-needed office and performance space for arts-related organizations in Roxbury. The focus on the arts is nothing new for Madison Park, the project's sole developer.

Madison Park promotes economic development through the arts via its ACT Roxbury Consortium, which organizes the popular Roxbury Open Studios and Roxbury Film Festival.

ACT Roxbury will move into the renovated facility as one of many tenants, including a marketing company, martial arts studio, youth-focused photography program, catering company and other groups. Discussions are ongoing with two organizations, each of which is considering renting the remaining 75 percent of the office space.

Funding for the renovation came from a capital campaign conducted by Madison Park and from the nonprofit MassHousing Investment Corporation. MassHousing provided a $1.9 million low-interest mortgage and New Market Tax Credits and Historic Tax Credits, which Madison Park could sell to for-profit companies.

Pinado credits her group's success at garnering funding with its reputation for developing housing and, more importantly, renovating the former Woolworth's Building at 2201 Washington Street where Madison Park's offices are located.

"Doing another building in Dudley Square, people need to have faith that we can find tenants, get the project done on time, operate it," she said.

The renovation of Hibernian Hall comes as the revitalization of Dudley Square continues to gain steam with the recent announcement that the city will buy and develop the abandoned Ferdinand Furniture Factory building.

Signs of investment are clear as one walks past the ongoing construction of a Walgreens Pharmacy at the corner of Washington and Vernon streets or the recently completed renovation of the Dartmouth Hotel building, bringing mixed-income housing and retail space to the corner of Warren and Dudley streets.

Madison Park helped jump-start the revitalization of Dudley Square when it co-developed, along with Trinity Financial, the nearby Orchard Gardens housing development in 2000.

"We are hoping that [Hibernian Hall] and other projects will be a catalyst to bring more choices for people to shop," said Grant. "I think Hibernian Hall meets the needs of Dudley Square in several ways. It brings new retail and quality office space."

Article copyright The Bay State Banner.

Photograph (Jeanne Pinado)