MoNA plans to purchase property

The Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA) has a reputation throughout the region for its many must-see exhibits.

Now the downtown cultural center is itself being eyed for a new look.

MoNA officials last week outlined for La Conner Planning Commissioners preliminary plans to expand services, address lingering structural issues and acquire nearby office space to continue its mission of connecting the public with Northwest art, cultures and environments.

MoNA Executive Director Joanna Sikes, board chair C.J. Ebert and board member Tom Beckwith shared a detailed presentation with the panel, opening a dialogue to address guidelines required of exterior design changes made to buildings within the Town’s Historical Preservation District (HPD).

MoNA is proposing conversion of second floor office space in its First Street building to a high-tech educational studio that can support lectures, workshops, presentations and live-streaming events; repairing its roof and south wall, which have serious water damage; and acquiring the adjacent Crossroads building, owned by Joan Cross, for museum offices. That is the former Hilsinger Building.

MoNA’s exposed south wall drew the most attention during a wide-ranging discussion.

The MoNA reps said they favor installing a moisture resistant rain screen facade that will allow drainage and evaporation and thus provide better protection from stormy weather.

“But before we go ahead,” Ebert told commissioners, “we need to know what we can do with the south wall. We can’t talk to elected officials or raise money before we know what we can do.”

Location dictates that the Town play a role on that score.

“We have historic design guidelines in the HPD,” Town Planner Marianne Manville-Ailles explained. “This building is not historic, but when there are updates, they have to adapt to those guidelines.”

No one on the Commission doubted that a rain screen would enhance the south wall’s present appearance.

“I would think that with anything you plan to do,” Commissioner Marna Hanneman said, “that it would be an improvement.”

Ebert agreed.

“There are no gutters on the south side of the building,” he said. “The rain and wind press against it. From a structural standpoint, a rain screen is the silver bullet to save the building.

“Over the last 20 years,” Ebert added, “they (rain screens) have been an architectural standard for buildings.”

“Everyone wants to fix the south wall,” Sikes stressed. “It’s imperative that we protect the building.”

“Sooner or later,” Ebert cautioned, “we’re going to have trouble with the front of the building, but the south wall – given that’s where the weather is coming from – is the problem.”

The museum is in line for a state-funded Building For the Arts (BFA) grant to help pay for the planned improvements. But those monies can only be used for those upgrades that directly increase public access to the arts, Beckwith said.

So MoNA will have to launch two separate capital fundraising campaigns, he and Ebert explained.

“We want to be able to go forward,” said Sikes. “The Cross property is a wonderful opportunity due to its proximity.”

Beckwith said that at some point, should MoNA acquire the Cross building, a wing could be constructed between it and the museum.

“Joan is retiring and wants to sell the property,” he said. “We’re trying to match her timeline with what we’re doing.”

But immediately, the MoNA reps said they will return to the Planning Commission – perhaps as soon as February – with an architect’s rendering of proposed exterior changes to the museum.

“This is really exciting,” Commission chair Liz Theaker said afterward. “MoNA needs these improvements. We need to protect this institution.”

The Commission also finalized proposed housing density changes and setback requirements that will be subjects of a public hearing. Commissioners supported reducing from 5,000 square feet to 4,000 square feet the minimum lot size for single family residences. They also endorsed a standard of 8,000 square feet for the first two units of multi-family dwellings and 3,000 square feet for each attached or detached unit.