Forum reveals church members have mixed feelings about project
Posted on Monday, September 8, 2008
Members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church have mixed feelings about a proposed parking deck on the church's property.
Church members convened during a 5 p.m. meeting on Sunday to discuss the pros and cons of partnering with Washington County and approving proposed construction of a 300-vehicle parking deck with retail area in the church's existing parking lot.
"It's completely in our hands whether we want to continue conversations with the county or if we feel that this is something that's not in our best interest," said the Rev. Lowell Grisham, the church's rector. "Whatever we decide, we'll still be St. Paul's. We'll continue to do the Eucharist and take care of each other, and we'll continue to be who we are."
John Siversen, manager of the proposed project, provided an in-depth history of events leading to the county's need for additional parking. He said a comprehensive needs study revealed that the courthouse would require an additional 300 parking spaces by the year 2030 to meet long-term space needs.
On Sunday, conversations surrounding proposed parking solutions continued among county officials and church members.
While some called the proposed facility a "blessing," others described it as a "monstrosity."
"I'm dead set against this," said church member David Crittenden. "I don't care how they plan to dress it up. Building a parking deck in our front yard and leaving no view of the church will change us. If we vote on this and it's a fifty-fifty deal, I think we should turn it down."
Siversen described the exterior of the proposed building as having a "living green facade"to soften the structure's appearance. The facility would be made of traditional brick material to match the courthouse and trimmed with brick to match St. Paul's. The building would face College Avenue and include a skywalk over the street leading to the third floor of the Washington County Courthouse's existing parking deck, which currently accommodates 200 vehicles. Other features include a basement and first floor for use by St. Paul's, a garden and landscape area at the rear of the sanctuary, a welcome center directly across from the new church parking area, parking entrance from College Avenue, and an exit to a one-way alley toward Spring Street.
"I've got great concerns about this parking deck," said St. Paul's member Steve Adams. "I think we do need more parking, but I'm not sure if this is the way to go about it. I don't think the real estate business is the mission of this church. Frankly, I would not like to include additional retail space under our guidance."
Washington County Judge Jerry Hunton mentioned that he previously suggested moving the current court and county services to the south end of Fayetteville, but that proposal was turned down by the Quorum Court.
"The parking deck issue has been on people's minds for a very long time, and it's not going away," he said. "Believe me, if I could find an easier way to solve this problem, I wouldn't be standing here tonight. This is a necessity."
Hunton said waiting to build the facility could limit options down the road and become more expensive. The courthouse's existing parking deck is currently in desperate need of repair and construction could take between one and two years, he said, adding that having a parking deck nearby would limit the need to transport people.
"I have great reservations about this," said Bass Trumbo, who's been a member of St. Paul's since 1945. "It worries me that this parking deck could divide the church. I would just hate for St. Paul's to be part of this monstrosity. If someone had a gun at my head, I might go along with it. I keep thinking that this is a bad dream and that maybe it will go away, but it hasn't. I hope the ultimate decision will be to turn it down. This just doesn't feel right."
Though some church members expressed complete disagreement, others saw the parking deck as a benefit to the church.
"I appreciate that you've come to show this to our church," St. Paul's member Ron Sharpe said. "To be a project that St. Paul's could be really proud of, I think would be to have really nice buildings along College. I hope we can continue this partnership, expand it and improve it."
For the parking deck to be constructed, preliminary plans must be approved by the church, then by the public works committee and ultimately by the Quorum Court.
Siversen emphasized that plans for the proposed structure are still in the preliminary stages with additional work to be done.
"There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered," he said. "We hope to continue these community forums so we can discuss the issues that need to be addressed."
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