SEPTEMBER 11, 2016
"As you know the D and D committee has spent a great deal of time following up on the congregation's mandate to explore possibilities to re-purpose our property while maintaining a commitment to pursue St. Stephen's Mission to serve the wider community. To use a "football metaphor" we are now in the fourth quarter and we are excited about the possibility of a successful outcome in the near future. After extensive community consultations and with Edge\s guidance and help we are close to making a recommendation.
We expect to receive detailed proposal from the potential developer in two weeks' time. Should we agree with the basic proposal there will be approximately 60 days of work and planning by the developer (due diligence). At that point we will call meeting of the congregation to present a firm recommendation. No action can be taken without your support and approval
We all thank you for your patience in this long but exciting process. Please talk members of the committee if you have further questions."
SEPTEMBER 13, 2015
Congregational Update The Design and Development Committee has been asked to explore options for the future of St. Stephen. We understand that keeping the building in it's current form is not sustainable for the congregation to have a future. The difference between us and the many other congregations facing the same issue is that we are in the fortunate position of having land.
The Committee has been working to find a solution, which uses the land we have, to give us the opportunity to continue to be a Church and to live out our Mission and Vision in Burlington for generations to come.
At our recent meetings we have created an RFP. This is a Request for Proposal, where bidders are able to look at our requirements and respond if they are able to meet our needs.
We have used the input from the congregation at previous meetings, to guide us.
Working within the mandate that you have given us, we are looking at redeveloping this property using a portion of our land for housing on a leased basis so that we remain the holder of the land. This will offer us income on an on going basis and give us the opportunity to make choices about how St. Stephen can continue to make a difference in our community.
Once we have received responses to the RFP we will share them with EDGE consultants that the United Church has assigned St. Stephen to support us through this process. They will help us measure the responses against our criteria, and if they align with our plans we will make a selection which we will bring to the Congregation for your approval.
If you have any questions please speak to members of the Design & Development committee or the steering committee:
They are:
Heather McGavin
Paul Bartu
Dave Shilton
Brian Sharpe
Colleen Edwards
Joan Eagle
Joan Waltenbery
Perry Bowker
Siân Baker
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee was created on March 2, 2014 with five members:
Paul Bartu, Heather McGavin, Dave Shilton, Michael Wright (EDGE Consultant) & Bob Murphy (Architect)
Our Terms of Reference are as follows:
Terms of Reference - Steering Committee-3.pdf