May 27, 2007 Update

Building Plans Presented to Congregation

• Facilities: Did you miss the May 6th presentation of the building plans that grew directly from the Chart and Compass 2010 plan? Then you’ll want to look for the plans on display in Channing Hall the next several Sundays. While the plans will change some, they are very close to what we’ll present to the city for zoning approval. Please forward your thoughts – both good and bad – on the plans ASAP as we move forward with completing this exciting phase of Chart and Compass.
  
  During the planning process, the congregation emphasized the need to honor our architectural legacy. (Our Sanctuary was designed by Harwell Hamilton Harris and built in 1964. It’s a significant structure in the city, and every architectural firm which viewed our facilities referred back to that structure and our beautiful outdoor spaces.) These plans do that, and, we believe, create additional buildings and surroundings which will be just as dear to us in the future. Specifically, the plans:
  • Expand the facilities from 31,134 to 48,686 square feet
  • Replace Channing with a fellowship area about twice the size
  • More than double adult/children’s education areas in a new building
  • Expand administrative/staff areas and consolidate them into today’s Religious Education building for greater efficiency and effectiveness
  • Provide our music program with practice and storage areas
  • Provide space for the Center for Public Dialog at First Unitarian Church (an initiative of Chart and Compass)
  • Create a structure on the southwest corner of the property which complements the Sanctuary
  • Make better use of our green space
  • Make the campus more inviting for visitors and more easily accessible to all
  • Increase parking
  • Take significant steps toward ecologically friendly building methods and operations.
  
  If you would like to make a special Capital Campaign contribution to underwrite a specific portion of the project, please contact Laurel Hallman or Bruce or Barbara Mickey.
  
  As part of our Neighborhood Relations outreach, the architects and members of the Chart and Compass Facilities Team also shared the plans with our neighbors during a meeting May 6th.

• Capital Campaign: Campaign volunteers continue to call on members to raise the funds for the campus and building expansions and improvements and for the enhanced programming. As of May 16, we had reached a total of $5,370,841.00 towards our $9-million goal. If you haven’t mailed in your pledge, please do so as soon as possible.

• Communications: The Communications Team has developed a strong message which we plan on trademarking. We are looking for an attorney with a trademark specialty to help with this work. Please contact Tom Kirwin (tkirwin@dallasuu.org) if you can help.

• Project Updates: The Chart and Compass 2010 Leadership Team meets monthly to receive updates on projects and provide tactical guidance. You are invited to attend to keep up with the latest news and provide input. Meetings are on the second Thursday of the month, in RE 204, at 7 p.m. The next meeting is June 14. If you’re unable to attend the meeting, we hope you’ll visit the website to keep up with developments.
  
  ~Ellen Magnis and Mike Birrer, Leadership-Team Co-Chairs
  ~Jenny Haynes, Leadership-Team Communications