Building Study and Campaign Expansion Update: Next Steps for Central’s Plans to Make Church More Accessible to All

As you may know, our congregation has a vision to make our building more accessible to all, so that we can continue to fulfill our mission, “Together in Christ…Reaching beyond our doors.”  That vision for a more accessible building includes: revamping the entrance from the parking lot to add a drop-off zone and elevator; reconfiguring the chancel and choir loft to remove steps and add a ramp; and creating a new accessible, family-friendly, all-gender restroom.

With the congregation’s approval, we have done some preliminary planning and completed a feasibility study, which recommended that our congregation is ready to move forward. 

Here are the next steps. We invite you to participate and vote:

On Sunday May 18, 2025 after the 11 am worship service, our District Superintendent    on Rev. Jodie Flessner will lead a Church Conference for the purpose of creating and electing a Building Committee which is required by the United Methodist Book of Discipline par. 2544.  The purposes of the Building Committee will be 

1. to further the vision outlined in our Draft Case Statement through pre construction planning by Cunningham-Limp (C-L), a construction management firm, and 
2. the creation of construction documents by AKA Architects that will allow C-L to propose a contract with a “not to exceed” total cost of the project.

A second item on the May 18 Church Conference agenda is for the congregation to approve a capital campaign to raise the money for the building improvements. Following receipt of the positive recommendation from the report of our Feasibility Study by The Solvent Group, we will also ask Central Church to authorize a $3.5 million “Central to Our Future” capital campaign to fund the sanctuary reconfiguration, parking lot entrance addition, and a new gender neutral restroom on the second level as outlined in the Draft Case Statement.  The campaign will be directed by a Capital Campaign Committee to be nominated by the Central Church Nominations Committee.

Finally, at that meeting, we are asking the Central Church congregation to authorize the expenditure of $150,000 for the creation of construction documents by AKA Architects that will allow Cunningham-Limp to propose a contract with a “not to exceed” total cost of the project.  In addition, we authorize an amount not to exceed $43,000 plus third party expenses to be used – if needed – for pre-construction services by Cunningham-Limp.  The C-L expenses will not be invoiced if construction begins.  The cash flow of these expenditures will be managed in conjunction with the Finance Committee.

Background: How Central’s vision for a more accessible building has evolved, step-by-step 

For many years, many church leaders and members have discussed the need to make our building more accessible and welcoming. In the fall of 2022 Central Church elected a Building Study Committee (this is the precursor to a formal Building Committee)  to examine the hospitality, welcoming, and accessibility needs of the congregation.

 On March 26, 2024, following a recommendation of the Building Study Committee and the affirmative vote of a Church Conference, the church signed a letter of intent with C-L.  C-L agreed to assist us in the selection of a qualified architectural firm and to provide cost estimates for the design concepts provided by our architects.  The letter also stated that C-L would serve as our construction manager for any project resulting from the ongoing research by the Building Study Committee.  (Cost:  No Charge for this phase of their work)

C-L provided us with a list of qualified architectural firms with extensive church construction experience.  We requested proposals from these firms.  After our due diligence and interviewing two finalists, the committee selected AKA Architects, Steve Auger, Principal, on May 6, 2024. We selected AKA to provide design concepts and renderings for a west entrance from the parking lot, a renovation of the sanctuary chancel and a barrier free gender-neutral restroom on the 2nd floor,  (Central Expenditure:  $15,000)

 Following the receipt of AKA’s design concepts and C-L’s initial cost estimate, on November 3, 2024, the Building Study Committee recommended and an all church straw poll vote affirmed that the church should hire The Solvent Group to conduct a Capital Campaign Feasibility Study.  The purpose of the study was to use the agreed upon design concepts to assess the church’s internal preparedness and test a proposed $3.5 million capital campaign campaign goal.  (Central Expenditure: $19,038)

Feasibility Study Results

On May 10, 2025 the church’s leadership committees received a presentation of the Feasibility Study Report by Anthony Rupard, Principal at The Solvent Group. The recommendation of the report is to proceed with the proposed $3.5 million capital campaign.  The report’s Campaign Readiness Assessment reviewed five areas that will be needed for a successful campaign. They are: 

• Trusted brand with internal capacity (to handle a campaign)
• Strategic and compelling case for support
• Sufficient/likely donor support
• Leadership gifts to set the pace
• Inspired/resourceful/effective volunteer leadership 

The report concluded that Central Church meets all five of these needed areas.

Next week we will publish the motion that will enable this work to proceed.  Once the Capital Campaign committee is created, that committee will keep the congregation informed throughout the campaign with regular updates and information about the capital campaign and the construction plans. Capital Campaign committee members will be available to answer any questions you may have as we move forward. Very soon, additional communications materials will be available for more information and to answer questions.  

Thank you so much for your continued support and encouragement during our journey.  We have been honored to serve Central Church in this way. We look forward to seeing Central’s vision take shape.

The Building Study Committee:

Julie Falconer, Chair

Pam Boyce

Jeff Cobb

Jeanne Esch

Dean Francis

Lisa Myers

Pastor Linda Stephan