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UUCP Renovation History 2005-2008

In 2005, we set ambitious goals for a combined campaign to receive:

  • $275,000 for our operating budget
  • $1,000,000 for our 3-year Capital Campaign

In the words of Ellie Anderla, President of the Board of Trustees in March 2005:

For many years, this congregation has known that it was necessary to make changes in our building to be able to welcome all people without discrimination to share our sacred space.

We exceeded our goal of $275,000 for the 2005-6 operating budget.  We also received pledges of $665,000 toward the Capital Campaign.  The vision of the Universal Access Committee to make our Spiritual Home accessible was a step closer to reality.
The Capital Campaign ended on April 30, 2008.  We have significant progress toward our accessibility goal. 

The first piece of the building renovation began early fall, 2007. The entry doors, the sliding glass doors, and the windows that face the patio were replaced by modern, code compliant, and energy efficient materials. The far west entry door now has a new automatic opener, and the double doors into the Sanctuary from the patio also has an automatic opener.
The unrelenting efforts of our architect, Doug Sydnor, led to the approval of our Master Plan (an Amendment to our Special Use Permit) by the Town of Paradise Valley on April 10, 2008.  We set a precedent in that we have

  • 5-year approval to build the Phase 1 plan
  • 12-year approval to build the remainder of the Master Plan

We just apply for a building permit whenever we authorize a portion of the construction.
During the 2007-8 fiscal year, we studied how best to proceed with realizing the other components of the planned improvements. During its July 2008 meeting, the UUCP Board of Trustees confirmed its support of the renovation/construction effort, and specifically decided to combine the supervision of construction and the organization of the financing under the umbrella of a new "Renovation Committee".  On August 19th, the Board approved the nomination of Don Weir as the chair of the Renovation Committee.  The formational meeting of the Renovation Committee was held on September 4th.  Activity has begun to implement an expanded lobby, new restroom core, frontage and landscaping, and a sewer line.