March 4, 2026

Items Referred to Committee

Public Hearing: Petition on Out of the Blue Community Arts Space at Arts at the Armory – Hearing Held, No Action Taken

The committee held a public hearing on item #26-0265, a petition submitted by 52 registered voters pursuant to Section 2-11 of the City Charter regarding the Out of the Blue Community Arts Space at the Armory (191 Highland Ave). This was a listen-only hearing—the committee took no deliberative action and made no recommendation.

Councilor Naima Sait recused herself from the item, stating she is involved in the Armory tenant selection process as the ward councilor, which the city's legal team confirmed required her recusal. This left only Chair Strezo and Councilor Link present.

Committee Discussion

Since this was a public hearing with no committee deliberation, the substance came entirely from public testimony. Eleven speakers testified, all in support of Out of the Blue Art Gallery and its current operators.

Key Themes from Public Testimony

Eviction timeline and process: The gallery's operator, identified as Parma (191 Highland Ave, 3D), described being invited in September 2019 by former Armory owner Joseph Stager and the former Center for Arts at the Armory CEO to curate art and live/work in the building. After the city acquired the Armory through eminent domain in 2021, she said she first learned of potential eviction through the press. She described receiving notices in July 2025—first 90 days, then 60, then 30—to vacate by February 2026, which she characterized as being put on the street in the coldest month of the year. She stated that many city councilors were unaware such notices had been issued. She argued that if she must leave, the city should provide commensurate housing under eminent domain legal obligations.

Allegations of harassment: Parma described three police reports filed against her alleging she hosted events with underage drinking and marijuana use, which she said were never validated. Her partner, Steve Piazzaro (same address), described what he called five years of "open hostility" from city management and told a detailed account of being denied access to a federal mailbox by city-affiliated building managers. He alleged the Armory takeover was a "vanity project" driven by a specific city official.

Community and cultural value: Multiple speakers—including artists, neighbors, and former residents—described the gallery as an irreplaceable community space. Speakers emphasized:

• The gallery's 30-year history across five locations, founded by the late Tom Tipton

• Its role as an inclusive, low-barrier space for artists who cannot afford gallery submission fees

• Its function as a "third space" that is neither a bar nor a commercial venue

• The gallery's connection to both Somerville and the broader Boston-area arts community

Call for tenant inclusion: Jay Plumb, a neighbor on Hudson Street, called for an explanation of why evictions are happening and said all existing tenants should be allowed to stay. Another speaker called for current residents to have a seat at the table in any Armory master plan.

Notable context: Speakers noted the recent deaths of two figures connected to the Armory—gallery founder Tom Tipton and former Armory owner Joseph Stager—lending urgency to concerns about preserving the space's legacy.

What's Next

• Written public comments were accepted through Friday, March 6 at 5:00 PM at publiccomments@somervillema.gov

• The committee took no action and made no recommendation; it is unclear when or how this item will return to the full council or committee

• Councilor Link asked about the timeline for a decision but did not receive a clear answer before adjournment

• The meeting adjourned at 6:56 PM