Rezoning leaves artists in the lurch…again

Andrew Lightman in the Patriot Ledger tells the all-too-familiar story of artists being kicked out of their studios in Massachusetts: �The art colony came to life as the town suffered an economic downturn in the late 1980s, when the building lost its key tenants. Attracted by the expansive rooms, high ceilings and large windows, artists turned the top two floors into cheap studio space. At its peak, 120 artists filled the top of the Codman Building, Lathrop said. Now only about 40 artists still work in the building, some fleeing last year when developer Fred Kiley of the Quincy-based Heritage Co. bought the property. Even more have left after town meeting voted in May to rezone the building, paving the way for the luxury housing.� Read more.