To raise $4.8M to rehabilitate the Farley Building.

The Farley Building Community Center (FBCC) project aims to rehabilitate the historic 1877 Farley Building into a multi-purpose community space for Hollis residents. This initiative will preserve an important landmark while addressing the town’s growing need for versatile gathering spaces.

With over 8,700 residents and more than 40 local nonprofit organizations, Hollis currently lacks sufficient venues for events, meetings, and activities. Existing facilities—such as the Hollis Congregational Church, Social Library, Lawrence Barn, and Town Hall cannot fully meet the demand. The FBCC will provide multiple  accessible spaces in a convenient location.

The center will feature:

• Drop-in lounge with a coffee bar for casual meet-ups.

• Service kitchen.

• Seven multi-purpose rooms.

• Outdoor performance stage for concerts and festivals.

• Tech center for computer classes and remote work.

• Large event room for concerts, recitals, and larger community and private event gatherings.

• Basement storage for local nonprofits.

By creating a welcoming space for residents of all ages, the FBCC will serve as a place for education, recreation, and community-building.

The FBCC will benefit residents of all ages, local organizations, and small businesses by providing spaces for:

• Club meetings, concerts, and performances.

• Health and wellness classes.

• Summer and vacation camps.

• Art exhibitions and cultural events.

• Private functions and business meetings.
  

• 7 flexible meeting rooms, expansive wall space for art exhibits, large basement storage lockers for local organizations.

• Indoor enhancements: Handicap access adjacent to the parking lot, elevator extending from the basement to the 3rd floor, new energy efficient windows, fire suppression system, new heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, office, restrooms on 1st and 2nd floor, janitors closet, 3rd floor to be fitted out in the future as needed.

• Outdoor enhancements: A reconstructed front porch to be used as a performance stage and expansive tree-lined green space for festivals and gatherings.

• Expanded 60 space parking lot to be shared with the Middle School, supporting teachers and safe school traffic patterns for buses and parents.

• Proven financial model, based on local data, designed to generate revenue from room rentals, classes, and events—similar to the successful Lawrence Barn model.

• Managed by community-elected Trustees with one part-time director and part-time staff, with additional support from volunteers and the 501(c)(3) Friends of the Farley organization.

• No anticipated tax increases for ongoing operations, with revenue and fundraising ensuring self-sufficiency.

The need for the FBCC was determined through comprehensive research and community outreach, including:

• Farley Building Committees (2011 and 2021): Committees included representatives from the Town Administrator, Budget Committee, Historic District Commission, and Recreation Commission. They conducted public meetings, surveys, and stakeholder forums.

• 2022 Hollis Master Plan: Emphasized the importance of preserving historic buildings and providing versatile community spaces.

• 2023 UNH Recreation Survey: Identified a strong demand for community events, youth and senior programs, and fitness classes. Over 60% of respondents rated programs like summer camps and cultural activities as high or medium priorities.

The committee contacted the SAU and learned they have no interest in using the building for classrooms.

This option has been considered. The major costs of the rehabilitation are for new systems, i.e. electrical, mechanical plumbing and fire suppression. These would need to be sized for the whole building and mostly included in the first phase. The old school house addition in the rear needs to be removed in order to meet standard accessibility requirements. Without the new addition which includes an elevator, new egress stairs, toilet rooms and office, only the 1st floor could be used and the plan as currently designed would need to be changed.  The space required for the bath rooms, office and table and chair storage would be taken from one of the classroom with only 2 rooms remaining for functions.  Phasing the project also increases the overall cost of the project considering the additional overhead construction costs,  plus anticipated higher material and labor costs.  

Donations from Hollis residents and  businesses will continue to be solicited to further offset the tax impact to rehabilitate the Farley Building.  

The committee’s conclusion is based on a feasibility study using financial data from similar community centers in NH and MA, as well as strong community feedback indicating demand for rental spaces and programs. A tiered fee structure, modeled after the successful Lawrence Barn, will ensure consistent revenue through room rentals for private events and businesses, a 60/40% revenue-sharing model for classes and workshops, and a 10% commission on art gallery sales, while also providing free monthly meeting space for Hollis non-profits. Additionally, the Friends of the Farley 501(c)(3) will sponsor fundraisers to cover any unexpected shortfalls, ensuring long-term sustainability.

• View the Management Proposal PDF on our HOME page for budget estimates.

The FBCC will be managed similarly to the Hollis Social Library, with oversight from five community-elected Trustees. Additionally:

• A part-time Executive Director will oversee operations, rentals, and instructor scheduling.

• Part-time staff will manage the website, scheduling, and promotions.

• Volunteers will assist with building supervision during drop-in hours.
  The Friends of the Farley, a 501(c)(3) organization, will coordinate fundraising and special events.

• View the Management Proposal PDF on our HOME page for staffing estimate.

There is no impact on taxes in 2025.  In 2026 the tax impact is $100 on a $740,000 home which represents .76% (less than 1%) on a tax bill of $13,125. 

A municipality cannot commit to spending funds that have not been approved by voters. At the same time, companies typically require a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) before submitting a binding proposal. However, the town cannot issue an RFP until the necessary funds have been appropriated. As a result, project estimates are used to guide planning until the formal process can move forward.

The original construction estimate and bid management package, funded by the passage of the 2024 $300K Article 4, was prepared by Ellana, an estimating firm in Boston rather than a construction company. This estimate used higher cost multipliers, including a 10% fee instead of 5%, bonds, and insurance at 3.3% rather than 2%, and higher per-square-foot costs across multiple categories. This resulted in an estimated project cost of approximately $10 million. To ensure a more accurate and localized perspective, the committee sought estimates from three local construction companies. 

• NorthPoint, a well-established local company working on a comparable project in Groton, MA, estimated $4.6 million.

• Sullivan, a local firm now under new management, provided an estimate of $5.5 million. 

• Turnstone, using an early 2023 estimate based on the current design without a detailed drawing package, projected a cost of $5 million.

• View the Project Proposal PDF on our HOME page for estimate details.

There is no asbestos in the building.

The engineers have addressed removal and encapsulation of lead paint as part of the building plan. The lead paint removal and abatement will be done in accordance to state ad federal safety guidelines.

The proposed parking plan includes 60 spaces arranged in four rows of 15 within a 150' by 105' area (about one-third of an acre). All spaces will be shared with the Middle School, and the existing school bus driveway around the parking area will remain unchanged.

The current parking lot and driveways around and behind the Farley Building are owned by the town, which permits the SAU to use them. The Superintendent was consulted two years ago about expanding the parking lot, and he expressed support for shared parking with the Middle School while maintaining safe bus travel lanes. The superintendent indicated that any potential challenges could be worked through. If the project moves forward, further discussions will ensure the needs of both the Middle School and the FBCC are met, with safety as a top priority.

• View the Architectural Plan PDF on our HOME page for parking lot details.

Inaction will lead to ongoing deterioration, requiring continued town expenses for maintenance. The property's declining condition and location will deter potential buyers, further diminishing its value. By voting YES on Article 2, you ensure that the Farley Building becomes a vibrant community hub rather than a neglected liability.

The most impactful way to support the FBCC is by voting YES on Warrant Article 2 at the upcoming Town Meeting. Additionally, you can:

• Donate to the Friends of the Farley 501(c)(3)

• Attend and promote community fundraising events

• Volunteer to support programming and operations