Wesleyan University in Middletown is planning a new arts center by renovating part of an existing structure and building a new addition.
The existing 7,500-square-foot building at 56 Hamlin St., would be renovated and expanded by 11,655 square feet for a new Integrative Arts Lab where several different artistic disciplines can meld, university officials said.
“The purpose of the proposed Integrative Arts Lab project is to modernize and decompress over programmed space within the Center for Fine Arts,” the project application said.
The new 19,155-square-foot lab will house two small design and drawing studios, a small movement dance studio, three offices and performance space for students and the public.
The current building dates back to 1880 and will be rebuilt as part of the project. The addition will be built next to it.
The new studio would also have lawn space for spectators of some performances.
The project will take up university-owned space, mainly parking areas, at 177, 181 and 185 College St. The number of parking spaces would be reduced from 58 down to three.
If the plans are approved by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commision, the project would then go out to bid, and likely take 12-18 months to complete, said Joseph Banks, a project manager at Wesleyan.