Major addition proposed for New Light Baptist Church (UPDATE)
The agenda for the Commission of Architectural Review Agenda set for Tuesday, September 25 (PDF) includes a few local projects: 509 N 26TH ST Replace windows; 414 N 23RD ST Construct retaining wall; 16 N 30TH ST Install lattice fence along alley; 2009 E GRACE ST Install rooftop deck; 2000-2006 E BROAD ST Construct major addition;
Of note is the last entry, a proposed “major addition” to New Light Baptist Church on Broad Street. I have asked Catherine Easterling of the city’s Planning and Preservation Division if there is any more information that I can share out at this time.
UPDATE September 14
Please be a steeple.
Johannas has drafted plans to add a 17 story shiny metal and Sheetrock steeple that includes 300 apartments crammed in it. Bilder has already expressed interest in buying the church after this is finished and letting it fall into ruin.
I don’t need to see the plans, it’s a given with CAR.
Maybe the enormous steeple that came off decades ago due to a storm is going back up?
Again, this is just a guess. But here is an article with steeple pictures and an explanation about the 1954 hurricance: http://www2.richmond.com/news/news-and-views/2012/may/21/why-richmond-why-what-happened-church-steeples-ar-1918743/
Alex :-)
Jesse, we can only wish but somewhere along the way height restrictions came into play since this came down. Not sure why since the city was full of steeples years ago and with height restrictions we will never have real “high-rise” buildings.
@Jesse – and here’s when I had that, from 2008
http://chpn.net/news/2008/05/04/why-that-church-does-not-have-a-steeple_1596/
From Catherine Easterling:
* narrative description (PDF)
* preliminary drawings (PDF)
The drawing doesn’t look bad at all… fits in very nicely with the existing building designs. Just no steeple… wonder why that wasn’t added in with the $$$ to build the addition?
So is Duke’s Garage being torn down or is the addition going to butt up against it?
And… not related but don’t see a thread, what is going on with the prep for construction behind Have A Nice Day Cafe on N 18th?
Nice to see some new stuff going in that is actually complementary of the existing buildings instead of the usual crap. My guess is CAR will insist it include some ugliness to make it stand out, though I really like the sketches.
Eric, looks like it could theoretically fit in the empty space between the current church and Duke’s. It will be a tight fit but it should work.
Didn’t the Church Hill Association donate money to this church to replace the steeple years ago when they were raising funds for the project?
The drawing looks great! I hope the plans get approved quickly and the building process goes smoothly. The architects put a lot of thought and consideration into this addition. Nice work. Thank you, New Light Baptist Church for being such great neighbors.
wish there was an underground parking deck going in as well. ha ;)
KB… I know several years ago the church were trying to raise something like $100,000 or so to get the steeple replaced but not sure whatever happened to those plans? I sure hope it will eventually be replaced with the proper height one, not a short stumpy substitute.
Know what helps defined “dignified with good sense of place” in my mind? A church without its steeple missing.
Very nice elevations and glad to see quality materials. It’s tempting on projects like this to “value engineer” more expensive materials like brick out of the project, so this is a nice surprise. Looks like a much needed addition for them and that it’s thoughtfully designed.
Last night, the Union Hill Civic Association voted unanimously to support this project as currently rendered. Letter sent to CAR today voicing our enthusiastic response to the proposed New Light Baptist Church “Family Life Center”.