| New Diocesan Ministry Center to be Established | | Print | |
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On Monday, June 14, 2010, three canonical bodies of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York, the Trustees, the Diocesan Council and the Standing Committee, met and agreed in principle to move the Diocesan Office from the current location at 1114 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo to a site located at 1064 Brighton Road in Tonawanda, NY. The decision was made with a certain heaviness of heart as many in the diocese have a great fondness for the building that has housed the diocesan offices since 1951. "This move signals a shift in perspective and a new vision for our ministry in the 21st century," said the Rt. Rev. J. Michael Garrison. At last evening's meeting three proposals detailing various degrees of renovation to the Tonawanda property were presented. Moving the diocesan office to the site of a functioning parish or simply remaining in the building on Delaware were also discussed, along with the option of selling the Tonawanda property. Clear consensus for renovating and moving to the Brighton Road site was reached. Diocesan trustees are now charged with adopting one of the three proposals and formulating a plan for total financing. Proceeds from the eventual sale of the existing diocesan office will be used to fund renovations at the new diocesan ministry center. Five major factors drove the decision. The first was handicapped accessibility. The Delaware office is not handicapped accessible, and structural restrictions prevent any cost effective plan to do so. Due to the structure and age of the building wiring to support 21st century communications is difficult to install. Limited storage space has forced the staff to use bathrooms as file rooms. Plus, staff members are separated onto several floors, limiting collaborative efforts. Finally, the potential to accommodate gatherings of up to 200 people at the Tonawanda site addresses an identified need for increased, on-premises meeting space and expanded programming. "I am very excited about moving forward with this project," commented Jim Eaton, chair of the task force and treasurer of the diocese. "We will be welcoming a new Bishop next year, and it is important that he/she see we are committed to a vision of growth. Being able to work within an updated facility is a key part of that vision." The diocese considered relocating its office five years ago. At that time, the expense involved ultimately quashed the move. The current availability of the diocesan-owned facility in Tonawanda that can be renovated to suit the diocese's multiple needs has enabled the deferred dream to become a reality. Renovations at the new ministry center are expected to be completed early in 2011. Additional history: This decision follows months of study, discussion and prayer by two task forces. At last fall's Diocesan Convention, Bishop Garrison issued an open invitation for all interested individuals to volunteer to serve on a task force to explore options for the re-use of the property at Brighton and Fries Roads. That group surveyed leaders from churches throughout the diocese to gather opinions and assess needs. They explored a variety of options, including an overnight conference center, a new church start, selling the property, and renovation of the property to accommodate the bishop's offices and meeting space sufficient to the needs of the diocese. The latter option emerged as the strongest option. When the initial task force presented it's findings to the bishop, a second task force appointed by the Trustees and chaired by diocesan Treasurer Jim Eaton, was instituted to more fully explore the feasibility of undertaking renovations at the Brighton site.The diocesan Trustees also granted a limited amount of funding for further study. The McGuire Group was then engaged to assist in procuring a development proposal and preliminary architectural renderings. Three proposals, each detailing varying degrees of renovation were provided. These proposals for grade A office and meeting space were presented to the canonical bodies at last night's meeting. |