Social Hall / Kitchen Project Information

Update: August 15, 2023

The UCC Church Building & Loan Fund conducted a capital campaign feasibility study from July 16th to July 29th.  A feasibility study is a way of measuring how prepared an organization is to undertake a proposed fundraising campaign.  Forty interviews were conducted by Rev. Sarah Jones of UCC’s Building and Loan Fund and each interview consisted of 25 questions that were used to assess support for the project.  Rev. Jones presented an oral report of the feasibility study findings to the steering team and marketing & development committees on August 15th.  From the representative cross section of LCC members interviewed, there is overall solid support for the Social Hall/Kitchen renovation project, along with some helpful suggestions to help refine the project plans.  A more detailed written report of the feasibility study findings will be provided by August 31st to the committee.

Arcus Group Architects and Richardson Design continue to make good progress on the renovation designs. They are working with engineering, asbestos, kitchen, and furniture consultants to finalize the design and engineering drawings of the proposed changes to the social hall, kitchen, and West Clifton entrance.  The drawings should be completed in September and will be used to provide an initial estimate of the project cost and inform final design choices. The final design will also be presented to the congregation this fall before sending to contractors for bid submission.

The next steering team meeting will be held on September 19^th.

Update: Steering Team Meeting, June 20, 2023

With LCC Executive Team approval, the steering team and the marketing & development committee will be engaging the UCC Church Building & Loan Fund for professional capital campaign services, starting with a feasibility study to be performed over the next 6-8 weeks. In exchange for capital campaign services, the amount of LCC’s tithe to the CB&LF will be directed as follows:

1. 60% to Church Building & Loan Fund

2. 40% to Ministry & Philanthropy allocated in the portions below:

• 10% to CB&LF Adese Faith-Based Entrepreneurs Fellowship
• 15% to any UCC/Denominational Ministry/Philanthropy (church’s choice)
• 15% to any Philanthropy or Ministry (church’s choice)

Feedback from the May 7th preliminary concept design presentation to the congregation, along with comments and questions submitted through the end of May, are being reviewed by Arcus Group and Richardson Design. Work will proceed over the summer months to more closely examine mechanical systems, kitchen equipment, and asbestos considerations, and to finalize the design in order to come up with a total project cost estimate. There will be a presentation of the final design to the congregation in the fall.

We Want Your Feedback! 

After reviewing the information presented at the Preliminary Concept Design presentation on May 7th, we welcome your questions and comments.

You can share your thoughts by completing the online form (click on the ‘Leave a Comment’ box). Thank you!

 

Update: Steering Team Meeting, May 16, 2023

The steering team is collecting and reviewing feedback from members following the May 7th presentation to the congregation. Feedback received thus far has been overwhelmingly positive. Arcus Group & Richardson Design will work over the summer to finalize the design and come up with a cost estimate. There will be another presentation to the congregation in the fall.

Capital campaign support services offered by the UCC Church Building & Loan Fund are under consideration. The development committee will make a recommendation to the steering team as to how we might engage with the CB&LF for our particular project.

With Pastor Joanna’s sabbatical approaching, the team reviewed the project timeline and discussed the work that will continue during her absence.

Update: Preliminary Concept Design Presentation to the Congregation, May 7, 2023

Scott Richardson (Richardson Design) and Dave Maddux and Rick Benos (Arcus Group) presented an overview of the preliminary concept design for the Social Hall and Kitchen to the congregation following worship. Member input from the initial Social Hall & Kitchen survey, along with data gathered via smaller group meetings and conversations with staff, have all been important sources of information used to come up with the initial concept design.

Dave Maddux began with proposed changes to the West Clifton entrance to make it handicap accessible. Proposed changes include:

• Create a new paved path that will arc from the sidewalk through the current Centennial Garden to a new concrete pad that will be even with the West Clifton doors (eliminates step up into the foyer)
• Relocate Centennial Garden pavers around the new path and reset
• Refurbish steps from the West Clifton sidewalk to the new concrete pad
• Install a new roof structure with gutters to provide better water drainage away from the building

Scott Richardson gave a walk-through of concepts and potential plans for the Social Hall and Kitchen, highlighting improvements to stage, storage, lighting, functionality, and traffic flow. Proposed changes include:

• Build out a new proscenium that incorporates the current plywood stage extension
• Replace plywood stage extension with more solid stage structure, add stage curtains, replace steps at front (perhaps make retractable)
• Improve off-stage spaces & flow; add handicap lift
• Maintain the connector that runs behind the storage areas between the social hall lobby and off-stage area
• Install sliding barn doors to enlarge access to social hall storage areas
• New tables and stackable chairs
• Factor in lighting and acoustics in social hall ceiling treatment
• Add a balcony across the back of the social hall above the main social hall doors for performance sound/lighting control, with access from existing nursery hallway and from the West Clifton hallway
• Install wall of windows in West Clifton hallway that will allow light into the social hall, include motorized blackout shades for privacy & performances
• Improve lighting in social hall and kitchen
• Create a more ‘front of house’ area between the kitchen and the social hall; repurpose pantry as a beverage serving area (similar to parlor), match social hall finishes
• Install sliding door to curtail noise emanating from dishwashing area
• Larger dinner buffet event flow will stay the same; install new (smaller) range with a wing wall for safety
• Refurbish long counter with swing-out stools
• Eliminate perpendicular steam table counters; replace with parallel prep counter
• Dishwashing area works well; no changes identified
• New paint & flooring throughout, including the hall all the way to the Youth Room and the wide main staircase from level 1 to the social hall level

Scott talked through this list of changes by showing architectural drawings and presenting slides of ‘current’ vs. ‘proposed’ images of the various spaces. Two mood boards, representing two completely different palettes, were presented, along with a third mood board showing a variety of ceiling options. A mood board is a visual tool that helps to communicate design concepts and an overall style. It is not a rendering of the actual space, it is a collection of images, materials, color palettes, and other elements that are arranged to evoke a style or feeling.

The meeting then opened up for questions. Click here for the complete list of questions and answers from this meeting.

Scott then provided an update on the project timeline (subject to change):

• Summer 2023: deeper dive into kitchen equipment, mechanicals, etc., incorporate revisions from feedback, come up with preliminary pricing (“opinion of probable cost”)
• Fall 2023: another meeting like this one with a 90% reveal of the plan, begin fundraising
• Late Winter/Early Spring 2024: begin construction

Drawings and the mood boards with sample materials will be available in the West Clifton lobby for members to view through the end of May. Members are asked to submit questions, provide feedback, and cast a vote for one of the two mood boards. Pastor Joanna emphasized that we are developing this plan together, and that input and good suggestions are still coming in and being factored into the design.

Update: Formation of Two Committees, Call with UCC Building & Loan Fund, May 2, 2023

This special interim meeting of the Steering Team was held to welcome members of two newly-formed committees that will be integral to the remaining phases of the Social/Kitchen Renovation project.

Development Committee

• Members: Sharon Schuldt, Mike Summers, Missy Toms, Julie Warren
• Role: Develop and implement fundraising plan, direct fundraising activity
• Steering Team Liaison: Vicki Smigelski

Marketing & Communications Committee

• Members: Nora Katzenberger, Nate McLaughlin, Robin Suttell, Scott Suttell, Devon Waddell
• Role: Communicate Capital Campaign case for support to LCC members to via print, video, & digital marketing; assist with driving Capital Campaign engagement
• Steering Team Liaison: Val Mechenbier

Members of the Steering Team and the two committees participated in a discussion with Jill White, Regional Mission Interpreter with the United Church of Christ Church Building & Loan Fund. Ms. White outlined the various ways that the CB&LF assists UCC congregations that are planning to buy, construct, or renovate a church building. The CB&LF offers services from visioning to financial feasibility studies to capital campaign consulting. The Development Committee will make a recommendation as to how we might engage with the CB&LF for our particular project.

The meeting ended with a brief discussion about the upcoming presentation of preliminary concept design ideas to the congregation following worship on May 7th and how feedback will be collected.

 

Update: Steering Team Meeting, April 18, 2023

Arcus Group and Richardson Design held a working presentation with the Steering Team at our April 18th meeting. Big picture conceptual ideas were presented for:

• Exterior West Clifton entrance: ideas on how to make it handicap accessible
• Interior: First level and lower level possible options regarding space usage, storage, windows, stage, traffic flow, meal serving, etc.

The group also reviewed ideas for looks, themes, and finishes for the lower level spaces. Arcus Group and Richardson Design will incorporate feedback from this big picture conceptual design into the presentation that they will give to the congregation on Sunday, May 7th immediately after worship.

The steering team will be reaching out to individuals who expressed interest in serving on the Development subcommittee and the Marketing & Communications subcommittee.

 

Photos taken after last renovation in 1954. Tap or click on photos to view.

 

Update: Steering Team Meeting, March 21, 2023

The Steering Team is ready to add two subcommittees in support of the Social Hall/Kitchen renovation project and the associated Capital Campaign:

1. Communications & Marketing
2. Development (Fundraising)

If you are interested in serving on either of these subcommittees, please fill out this form and return it to the church office no later than APRIL 15th.

At the March 21st meeting the Steering Team also set the following tentative timeline leading up to the kickoff of the Capital Campaign:

• 4/18: Steering Team Meeting: Arcus Group will present big picture ideas
• Late April/Early May : The Steering Team will meet with a representative from UCC Building & Loan Fund to learn about their mission and  services that they provide
• 5/7: Arcus Group & Richardson Design Presentation to the congregation after worship (extended coffee hour/town hall meeting)
• 5/7-5/31: Idea/concept boards will be on display in the W. Clifton lobby along with feedback forms
• 5/16: Steering Team Meeting
• June-August: Arcus Group takes feedback and refines concept for the spaces, compiles better estimates of project costs
• June-August: Pastor Joanna’s sabbatical
• 6/20: Steering Team Meeting
• 7/18: Steering Team Meeting
• 8/15: Steering Team Meeting
• September (date TBA): Capital Campaign Kickoff

Social Hall/Kitchen Project Steering Team members:
Kim Katzenberger (Chair), Patti Komperda, Michael Fleenor, Valerie Mechenbier, Scott Richardson,
Vicki Smigelski, John Bando, Eric Tuck-Macalla, Cathy Kuhn, Pastor Joanna D’Agostino

 

Update: Steering Team Meeting, February 21, 2023

The Arcus Group gave an overview of their Matterport 3D scan of interior spaces of the church, from the lower (Social Hall) level to the Sanctuary level. This virtual site tour will be helpful with discussion, visual documentation, and planning. They also shared feedback from recent meetings with six smaller focus groups of LCC members most familiar with the uses – and possible future uses – of the kitchen and Social Hall.

From all of the information gathered thus far through meetings, surveys, and interviews, The Arcus Group will now begin working on Preliminary Concept Design where they will compile a range of conceptual ideas and options to consider as we begin to move forward.  Current Ohio Building Code requirements will need to be factored into design, especially with regard to preschool program building requirements, potential asbestos abatement, kitchen exhaust systems, electrical/mechanical standards, etc.

Update: February 12, 2023

In worship on January 8th, Pastor Joanna shared that 2023 is the year that we are going to talk seriously and purposefully about renovating our social hall and kitchen. Since the last renovation of those spaces in 1954, LCC has held or hosted dozens of musicals, many talent shows, Boar’s Head festivals, pageants, community meals, Y-Haven performances, cookie decorating & pumpkin carving activities, fundraisers, AA meetings, labyrinth walks, band rehearsals, Haynes Nursery School “gym times,” and so many more joyful gatherings. After nearly seven decades of heavy use, it’s time for an update.

As announced at the February 5th Annual Congregational Meeting, LCC is partnering with The Arcus Group architectural firm to begin this project. The Arcus Group is currently meeting with small groups to do some visioning and information gathering to supplement the results of the Social Hall / Kitchen survey that was done in early 2022. This Preliminary Concept phase is being sponsored by Peter and Cathy Kuhn, a decision made prior to Peter’s passing. We cannot thank them enough for supporting this project.

“The sooner we get started, the longer we’ve got.” – Peter Kuhn, quoting his father Richard when speaking to Pastor Joanna about sponsoring the preliminary concept phase

On behalf of the Project Steering Team*, Scott Richardson also presented the following tentative project timeline at the Congregational Meeting:

• • February-May 2023: Preliminary Concept Design
  • June-August 2023: Design Refinement & Development
  • September-November 2023: Construction Documentation & Engineering
  • September 2023: Capital Campaign Begins
  • December 2023-January 2024: Bidding & Permitting
  • February-August 2024: Construction
  • September 2024 (Rally Day Sunday): Celebration & Ribbon-Cutting

*Project Steering Team members: Kim Katzenberger (Chair), Patti Komperda, Michael Fleenor, Valerie Mechenbier, Scott Richardson, Vicki Smigelski, John Bando, Eric Tuck-Macalla, Cathy Kuhn, and Pastor Joanna D’Agostino.

As we move forward together on this project, we are mindful that renovating the Social Hall and Kitchen is as much about creating space to live into our mission, vision and values – and serving the community – as it is about updating systems, lighting, and finishes. Michael Anthony Howard, Minister of Faith in Action for the Living Water Association (UCC) writes:

Our sacred buildings are places where the Dream of God unfolds, where we learn what love looks like in public, where God’s shalom becomes a tangible reality. They provide the landscape that is the scenery of our spiritual lives. They create the context for building communities of liberative practice, where we weave our lives into fabrics of care in beloved communion with God and with the world around us. — Michael Howard, “The Prophetic Witness of Place”, 1/12/23.