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Corner Project Update
My Dear People and Friends of
St. Michael’s,
We have all been wondering when
we were going to see work begin on our 100th Street corner.
I am pleased to be able to write to you now about new and important
developments.
On December 31st our relationship with RHR Housing came to an
end. Thereafter, we received escrowed deposit funds as well as filed
plans, professional work product, contracts with those professionals
including the architect SLCE and a number of specialized engineering
firms. As I indicated at a previous Rector’s forum, we have a designed
project, the plans for which have been filed with the Department of
Buildings and the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Since then, we have been reviewing our possibilities with our attorneys
and advisors. A number of Vestry members have been working very hard
interviewing developers and reviewing proposals, as we are acutely aware
of the changes that have overtaken the credit markets.
With these things in mind, as well as the future needs of St. Michael’s,
we have entered into negotiations with a development team and we expect
to enter into contractual agreements with it very shortly.
At its sole risk, the new development team has begun the necessary
preparatory work to begin the physical work related to the corner as
quickly as possible.
The building which was recently displayed in the Reception Room is
essentially the building that will be built. Circumstances well beyond
our control have compelled an important change in the make-up of the
project. We have had to confront the fact that the New York State bonds
that are used to finance buildings with affordable housing units are in
radically short supply due to a huge demand and state budget
constraints. Accordingly, the new building will not contain such
units. The Vestry is nevertheless committed to find a way to continue
to serve our community financially and with space in the new building.
In our new agreement we will receive four floors of rebuilt program
space in the connecting portion between the new building and the Parish
House, approximately. 3000 sq. ft. of ground floor corner retail space,
approximately 1500 sq. ft. of basement space and three apartments of
varying sizes for staff accommodation. The design which includes an
elevator will allow us to build out the fourth floor of the Parish House
and thereby give us approximately 1700 additional square feet for mixed
use. The retail space and cash return from the project, we expect, will
ensure that present and future Vestries will have the resources to
continue to maintain and upgrade our landmark quality buildings in our 3rd
century.
We have expended over $5 million on our physical plant in my time
alone. We have had to stabilize the Tower; clean, point and re-roof the
Church; clean and point the Parish House façade; re-roof, clean and
point the Rectory; remove, reengineer, backlight and stabilize the great
Tiffany lancets; restore and redecorate the entire interior of the
Church; and these are only the major capital projects at 99th
Street. The Vestry is committed to the care and stewardship of our
magnificent buildings because they are an extraordinary and valuable
resource for Mission and Ministry.
Finally, as some know who have been here for a long time, we were
calendared for Landmark Status in 1980. We attended a further hearing
at the Landmarks Preservation Commission on March 18, at which we
submitted a statement. We were not designated at that time. The
Commission has been very supportive of us as we move our Corner Project
forward.
Let me add a personal note. When I arrived as your Rector in 1994, the
farthest thing from my mind, and I suspect that of the Vestry that
called me, was the need over 11 of my so far 14 years to devote such a
vast amount of time, energy and treasure to the fiscal and physical
stability of the Church and Cemetery. Yet, there it was and is.
Together we have had to do what had to be done and still work to build
up and broaden this community of Faith. Our Lord Jesus Christ will
continue to sustain us as we strive to be His Body in our community.
God bless you all with a joy-filled Eastertide.
Faithfully,
(The Rev. Canon) George W.
Brandt, Jr.
Rector |
