Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth 
College Street Project Task Force Monthly Report
Space to Grow Our Principles
February, 2006
Communication with the Zeppa Family Foundation (ZFF)
The Zeppa Family Foundation generously awarded First Unitarian a $1 million grant contingent on constructing a building on College Street. Our congregation accepted this offer in May 2005.
Building & Aesthetics
Steve Erban's first work, the Schematic Design Phase, is underway. This effort focuses on analyzing the site, its possibilities and its challenges. As you know, the land is not flat. It has a 36-foot drop from north to south presenting tremendous challenges as well as tremendous design opportunities that would not necessarily surface on a flat farm field. In addition to topography, key issues such as soil, parking, local codes, and utilities will have a heavy bearing on the design concepts which will move our Program Statement into reality.
Steve has emphasized that it is very important through the Schematic Design Phase to have the entire Task Force as involved as possible. As this phase transitions (by mid February) into the Design Development Phase (turning the schematic design into a functional building design with structural, mechanical, electrical systems, and building material choices, etc.) the congregation will be brought into the process in a more informed way. Next, the Building Subcommittee takes the baton and frees other Task Force subcommittees to focus on parallel tasks.
This takes us (merrily) along to the end of February/early March - a period devoted to finalizing the design with a final presentation some time in (if we are really lucky) late March/early April. Contractually, no later than April 30th. What happens next and when depends upon the outcome of our congregational vote at that time. If you have an interest and want to have a say in the design process please step forward.
Within the building sub-committee is another sub-committee—Aesthetics--which includes both interior and exterior design. There are going to be many exciting areas of interest as this design unfolds: spatial use, material research and selection, craftsmen and/or sub-contractor recommendations, audio visual needs, landscaping, kitchen design, equipment and furniture selection, etc.
Vision
The vision subcommittee has been reviewing our principles and how they interweave with congregational feedback gathered last March. That process disclosed the desire to create community and enthusiasm. Based on that sentiment, we are suggesting "Unleashing our Principles" or "Space to Grow our Principles," as a theme for this endeavor. Our previous vision statement was wrapped around "Space and Spirit for Another Hundred years."
For the past few weeks we have explored tools and terms used in futuring Foresight is our ultimate target. Foresight will help us to develop worthwhile and achievable long-term goals, along with reasonable strategies for attaining them. Foresightenables us to anticipate many of the opportunities and risks that could develop in the future and give us time to become well prepared before we experience them."
Finance
The Finance Subcommittee has two immediate goals related to this project: 1) to analyze and project operational and capital revenue streams, cost estimates, and budgets to determine the feasibility of the project, and 2) to keep you informed of the finance issues so you can make informed decisions.
From our August, 2005 inception through December 31, 2005 we have received our first $10,000 grant from the Zeppa Family Foundation from which we have spent $135.85.
In early January, 2006 our Board President and Secretary signed an Architectural Contract which commits us to the potential of five phases of architectural expense. As each phase is successfully concluded we will apply for a grant from the Zeppa Family Foundation to pay the architect. Currently, we are now committed to Architectural Phases 1 and 2 or $31,500 before the full design of our new building is brought to the membership for vote this coming spring.
The Task Force is considering hiring an outside Financial Feasibility Consultant to help us determine how much we are willing to pledge to this project. We currently see five potential sources of funds for this project;
- Our current net worth which includes our Winona Street real estate and some
cash from our past capital campaign, - A new capital campaign,
- The Zeppa Family Foundation grant,
- Grant requests to interested other public and private non-profits,
- A possible loan program for future new members to share in the cost of this project.
It is important to remember that the Zeppa Family Foundation’s willingness to fund this project in part is commensurate with our willingness to share in the cost. If hired, the Financial Feasibility Consultant will work with many of us in groups and individually over the next two months as we prepare for the congregational vote.
Before you are asked to vote on building a new church home, the Finance Subcommittee will provide good faith estimates of all income and costs including a forward-looking five-year operational budget.
In conclusion, now is the time to get informed and involved! Our timeline over the next couple of months is to clarify First Unitarian’s vision, develop the building design by April 30th, and conduct a financial feasibility study.