Monday, June 9, 2008
The Ecumenical Christian Ministries is asking the community to help revamp its building with $700,000 in renovations and registration with the Kansas State Historical Society.
In the past year, the ECM has sent out surveys and interviewed people who are familiar with the ECM. The ECM Board wanted to know what changes the building supporters would like to see, how much community participation could be expected and who could contribute financially to the renovations.
In July, the ECM board will review the responses and vote on the next step to raise more money or remodel.
Robert Minor, professor of religious studies and president of the ECM board, said he knew people would participate in the ECM changes, but renovations were still in the research phase.
“We’re trying to be careful and cautious so we can do what people need, not what we think they need,” Minor said.
He said another goal of the board was to get the building registered with the KSHS, which would give the organization tax breaks.
In 2007, ECM decided not to sell its building to the developers building the Oread Inn. The ECM board said they felt the building was historically significant and an important gathering place for the community.
“So many historical events took place there,” said Leslie Tuttle, associate professor of history and humanities. Tuttle is one of the people working to get the building on the registry. “Civil rights, women’s rights, gay rights. It was designed to be a place where people in the community could gather and discuss things important to the community.”
Tom Harper, founder of Lawrence Modern, and Tuttle will finish the application to have the ECM registered with the KSHS this fall. They need to provide a narrative architectural description of the property and a statement of significance based upon the National and State Register criteria.
“It’s a building that needs to be preserved because it has a rich history in Lawrence, plus the added benefit of tax credits that can help with renovation,” Harper said.
The ECM has to determine the feasibility of a capital campaign, which is necessary to raise money to bring the building up-to-date.
Jim Everett, consultant for The Church Development Foundation, is helping the ECM explore options to improve funds and programs. He talked to people who supported the ECM in the past by phone and surveys.
Everett said they were hoping to receive the surveys and prepare them for the board’s meeting in July.
If approved, the ECM should be in the next phase of planning and renovations by next year.
— Edited by Brieun Scott
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