Membership to Vote on Accessible Building Project

Vote will determine whether we are ready to begin construction in May.

Volunteer leaders of Central United Methodist Church have been working diligently for years on a building project that will help us worship without limits! The goal is to have our building reflect our values of welcome and inclusion from the front door to our most sacred spaces. We have noted that the West Entrance from our parking lot, originally a fire escape, has gradually become our de facto main entrance. We desire a welcoming and accessible entrance with a waiting area and elevator, as well as a chancel that is accessible to all people and flexible for our modern music and worship needs. We also plan an accessible and gender-neutral family bathroom on the sanctuary level that can be used by everyone from those with mobility challenges to young families. 

We are now within $350,000 of our fundraising goal, with more than $1.7 million in cash already collected. We also expect a sale this spring of the Traverse Bay church property on Ramsdell Street. With these commitments in mind, the Building Committee believes a May 2026 project start date would be advantageous: locking in prices, taking advantage of the summer season for worship outdoors, and allowing us hopefully to use the Traverse Bay church property for worship this summer and into early fall, as necessary. A vote Sunday, March 22 will determine whether the Church Conference is ready to move forward with this timeline. 

WHAT: Church Conference March 22, 2026 

WHERE: In the sanctuary after 11am worship

WHO: All have a voice. Members present can vote, by rules of the United Methodist Church. Clergy who are members of the Michigan Conference can also vote.

Basic Timeline to-date:

Pre-pandemic: A Building Study committee was authorized by the Church Conference and worked for years to study missional needs of the building, identify core concerns, and to narrow the project scope based on feasibility and core priorities.

March 2024: Following a recommendation of the Building Study Committee and the affirmative vote of the Church Conference, the church signed a letter of intent with Cuningham-Limp.  The construction management firm assisted in the selection of a qualified architectural firm and provided cost estimates for design concepts. The letter also stated that Cinningham-Limp would serve as our construction manager for any resulting project. 

May 2025: Church Conference voted to create a Building Committee, authorized spending on pre-construction documents, and authorized a fundraising committee to secure funding for the project. Simultaneously, a fundraising feasibility study was conducted and a quiet fundraising phase began in earnest. Fundraising goal was set at $3.5 million.

December 2025: Church Conference voted to allow certain pre-spending for the construction project and the congregation received updated costs. The project was expected to cost $3.95 million, up about $450,000 from the original budget. About half of that increase results from the discovery of poor foundation and soil conditions under our existing building, which required additional engineering and construction plan changes. Other matters include unforeseen professional fees and necessary design changes.

Proposed Resolutions – March 22, 2026

The Building Committee of Central United Methodist Church of Traverse City moves that Church Conference authorize entry into a contract with Cunningham-Limp to remodel the sanctuary, west entrance, and to create an accessible, family-friendly bathroom on the sanctuary level. The total project cost is not to exceed $4.2 million. The contract with Cunningham-Limp will be approximately 80-85 percent of the total project cost. The Committee also recommends approval of a bank loan or line of credit not to exceed $1.0 million, at prime lending rate, to help with project cash flow. 

Draft Resolutions:

Be it resolved that Central United Methodist Church of Traverse City authorizes the Building Committee to enter a contract with Cunningham-Limp to complete renovations of the chancel and sanctuary, west entrance with elevator, and family-style accessible sanctuary-level bathroom. Total project cost, including costs beyond the scope of the Cunningham-Limp contract, shall not exceed $4.2 million.

Be it resolved that Central United Methodist Church of Traverse City authorizes the Building Committee to engage in a bank loan or line of credit at or below prime lending rate, not to exceed $1 million.