LYNN — After years of planning and more than a year of construction, LEO Inc., both a nonprofit charitable organization and a community action agency, is six months out from the complete renovation of its headquarters on Broad Street.
The organization is merging three existing preschool sites into the building on Broad Street, which will house 15 classrooms, two playgrounds, a commercial kitchen and nutrition center, a gross motor room for indoor preschool activities, and a multipurpose room for parent education and community meetings. The entire building will also be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“The renovation of this building is going to provide such a modern and bright space for our children and families,” LEO Director of Development and Communications Lisa McFadden said.
McFadden said the project officially broke ground in June 2023 and is set to be complete in January 2025.
“There’s so much that has been done, but there is so much more to do,” McFadden said.
Currently, the contractors are in the process of putting up drywall, and soon the flooring will go down, followed by the painting of the interior.
McFadden said the architects for the project have designed entryways for the classrooms that “speak to our children’s and families’ lived experiences.”
“For instance, the entryway to one classroom might look like a Guatemalan bakery. Another one is going to look like a bodega. There are a couple of entryways that will be built out to look like the T,” McFadden said.
McFadden said she is excited to get to the finishing touches, as that is when the building will truly come “alive.”
In February, the organization received a $6.9 million tax-exempt bond from MassDevelopment and Eastern Bank for the project.
Most recently, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton included the renovation as one of his projects for congressionally directed spending through the Economic Development Initiative, resulting in a $1.33 million allocation.
The organization also received a grant of $53,000 to finish furnishing the classrooms from the Franklin Square House Foundation in Boston.
In total, LEO has raised $14.4 million of the project’s $18 million price tag.
“We’re getting close,” McFadden said. “We’re still working and there’s plenty of time for people to donate.”
The renovated building will expand LEO’s current seat capacity of 232 to offer 270 preschool seats for children from ages 3 to 5.
“There’s such a huge need for early education in Lynn,” McFadden said. “We are thrilled to be able to address, even in small part, adding some additional spaces for preschoolers.”
McFadden said she is excited for the modern and bright space that the organization will now be able to provide for the city’s children and families.
“In Lynn, in every community, low-income families are often, sort of, the last demographic to see the type of facilities they deserve to have. We truly believe that this building is just going to be a shining example of what every family should have available for early education and care for their little ones,” McFadden said.
McFadden added that the organization’s programs and offerings are still 100% operational and active during construction.
