Morristown Board OKs Major Expansion At Mayo Performing Arts Center

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Following several months of discussion, Morristown's zoning board has approved a project that will see a new addition and a parking deck added to the 87-year-old Mayo Performing Arts Center.

MPAC leaders said the expansion will help them reach younger residents through their Performing Arts School and education programs, while remaining a top arts destination "for decades to come."

The five-story addition would include revamped entryways, a two-level parking garage, and an expanded loading dock along Pine Street. The interior would include room for offices, rehearsal studios, dressing rooms, storage facilities, and a lobby — providing more space for the students at the school, but also for larger crowds, and bigger performers to headline at the theater.

The plans also involve demolishing three houses dating from the early 20th along Pine Street and King Place to make room for the expansion. MPAC already owns these buildings, which have been used for studios and offices.

The New Jersey Historic Preservation Office has given approval to demolish the current buildings on the project site and move forward, MPAC noted in a statement to Patch.

Allison Larena, President and CEO of MPAC, said the organization is working on a finalized timeline for the project. The first step is to demolish those current buildings, which should happen some time this year, she said.

“Once actual construction on the expansion begins, we anticipate about 18-24 months to complete the project," she said.

In a statement to Patch. Larena also thanked the town zoning board for approving the project.

“We sincerely appreciate that they see the benefit our expansion will have on the community, which will enable us to serve more children through our Performing Arts School and arts education programs," she said.

MPAC has been raising money to fund the project, and the state legislature has also allocated $500,000, as the Morristown Green reported.

The 1,300-seat Mayo Performing Arts Center has visitors come in from all 21 New Jersey counties for its main stage performances and shows, as well as from neighboring states and beyond. The nonprofit arts center generated more than $15 million in revenue for local businesses in the 2022/23 season, according to the annual report.