On Tuesday, the Chelsea Collaborative marked a significant milestone by launching construction on its new headquarters at 318 Broadway. The organization, which has expanded considerably under Executive Director Gladys Vega’s leadership and served thousands of Chelsea residents, is moving forward with this major initiative. Attending the groundbreaking ceremony were City Manager Jay Ash, State Rep. Eugene O’Flaherty, Councillor-at-Large Leo Robinson, and Councillor-at-Large Roseann Bongiovanni, who serves as assistant executive director at the Collaborative, alongside business leaders and Board members. The new facility, situated adjacent to the U.S. Post Office, is scheduled for occupancy in January, 2010.
According to Vega, the Collaborative has committed to a 20-year lease for the space, which will expand the organization’s office footprint from 2,000 to 7,000 square feet. The construction project carries a price tag exceeding $350,000. “We are using money from our generous donors and from funds we received from an out-of-court environmental settlement to pay for the construction,” Vega noted. For the past 20 years, the Collaborative has operated from its current location at 300 Broadway. “We’re very excited with our move to a new space,” explained Vega, who manages a team of 34 staff members and numerous volunteers. “It’s a dream come true.”
The new offices will incorporate environmentally conscious design principles focused on energy savings, water efficiency, carbon dioxide emissions reduction, and improved indoor environmental quality. In her remarks, Vega expressed gratitude to the Carpenters’ and Painters Union for providing skilled apprentices to assist with the construction work. She also acknowledged the Collaborative’s Board of Directors for their backing and recognized local businesses for their substantial financial contributions to the project.
