December 2009

Zumix, a community driven non-profit that brings music and arts to youth in Boston, has completed construction on its new state of the art performance and rehearsal space. Located near Maverick Square in East Boston, the building was transformed into 9,000 square feet of fully functional music and performance space for Zumix programs, its young participants, and the East Boston community at large.

Formerly the Engine 40 Firehouse, the City of Boston designated Zumix and East Boston Community Development Corporation (EBCDC, Inc.) to develop the historic structure into a youth arts center. The renovated building was completely gutted to accommodate the new facility and equipment, and features a radio station, recording studio, a music production studio, classrooms, performance space, and administrative offices. The building also boasts LEED Silver Certification, while maintaining the historic integrity of the Firehouse. Not only will the additional space enable ZUMIX to double the number of children it serves, shortening their waiting list, it will provide them with a new permanent home.

Zumix worked with Affirmative Investments, who served as financial consultants, in order to maximize the value of the New Markets Tax Credit to the project and to minimize on-going financing fees so that ZUMIX’s funding resources continue to focus on programming and operations.