UMMS Updates - Christ Lutheran Church

UPDATE #1: December 2, 2013
Christ Church sold the Deaton Medical Center to the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) in
1996. UMMS renamed the facility it’s Specialty Hospital. It closed in July 2012 when the services were
transferred to other UMMS facilities. The Abell Foundation purchased the property from UMMS in April 2013.
The UMMS Advisory Committee, appointed by the Christ Church Council that same month, recommended and
the Council concurred:
1. That CLC not give further consideration to purchasing the Specialty Hospital building or becoming
financially involved in redevelopment of the building by the Abell Foundation or any other owner.
2. That CLC continue involvement/discussions with the Abell Foundation or any other owner and the
Otterbein and Federal Hill communities as future plans for the Specialty Hospital site are developed.
In September 2013, the Abell Foundation selected an international development company, ZOM, to redevelop
the property. A Christ Church negotiating team composed of Pr. Tjornehoj, Page Croyder, John Geist and Bruce
Kirby has been meeting with a Senior Vice President of ZOM, Andrew Cretal, since early October. Both ZOM
and Abell are committed to understanding the Church’s operations and needs and how the project might impact
the Church during and after the construction of the project.
The concept that ZOM is working from is to replace the existing building with a new, six story apartment
building with about 350 market rate units and its own underground parking. No retail space is projected.
Successful pursuit of this concept requires that ZOM and Abell reach agreement with Christ Church on meshing
the new building with the existing Christ Church garage, plaza, Christ Church Harbor Apartments, the Lutheran
Center and Christ Church itself. Discussions to date have been totally positive but some complex issues remain
to be resolved. It is expected that a Memorandum of Understanding among the three parties will be developed
and signed in the coming months, after which ZOM would seek approvals from Baltimore City to proceed with
the development.
UPDATE # 2: January 6, 2014
The Christ Church negotiating Team and representatives of the Abell Foundation and the proposed re-developer
of the UMMS site, ZOM, are currently reviewing a draft Memorandum of Understanding that when adopted by
the parties will guide future development of the site.
City Councilman Bill Cole and the Abel Foundation have scheduled a community meeting to share preliminary
plans for the replacement building on Monday, January 13, 2013 at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall of Christ
Church. Interested community residents are invited and encouraged to attend.
UPDATE # 3, March 3, 2014
Since the last Update in January, negotiations around the Memorandum of Understanding have continued, the
community meeting was held as scheduled and an orientation with Christ Church members occurred on
February 23. Also completed was a study documenting CLC parking needs. Agreement has been reached under
which ZOM will provide and cover the cost of alternate parking when the existing CLC garage will be
unavailable during demolition and construction of the proposed Banner Hill apartments.
As of the end of February, Baltimore City was considering a PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) program
applying to conversion of former office buildings to apartments. Under a PILOT, redevelopment of older
1
buildings is boosted because the developer pays a reduced property tax for a fixed number of years. The
expectation of approval of this PILOT has led both the Abell Foundation and ZOM to place a hold on further
discussions until the terms of the PILOT are known. This hiatus may last several months.
Update # 4, May 5, 2014
The PILOT legislation has been introduced into City Council. Negotiations between ZOM and Christ Church
have continued and, as of this date, appear to be nearing completion. In response to an offer from ZOM, Christ
Church Council is recommending approval by the congregation at a special meeting on Sunday, June 8 at 9:45
AM of purchasing an additional 20 spaces in the garage to be built under the proposed Banner Hill apartments,
the preliminary name for the building to replace the former hospital.
Copies of the report approved by the Council on April 29, Parking and the Future Mission of Christ Lutheran
Church, will be available on the table in the entrance area on Sundays. If you would like a copy e-mailed to you,
please call the Church office, 410-752-7179.
Informational meetings about this proposal have been scheduled during the education hour on Sundays, May 11
and 18 at 9:45 AM in Room 216.
Update #5, June 9, 2014
At a congregational meeting on June 8, Christ Church members overwhelmingly approved the recommendation
from the Council to purchase an additional 20 parking spaces in the new garage to be built under the proposed
Banner Hill apartments. Next step is to finalize the Memorandum of Understanding between ZOM and Christ
Church.
Update #6, September 29, 2014
Culminating a year of negotiations and fulfilling action authorized by the Christ Church Council at its January
2014 meeting, on September 23 Pastor Tjornehoj signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between
Christ Church and ZOM governing the development of the Banner Hill apartment project.
What This Will Mean for Christ Church
After several years of uncertainty following closure of the Specialty Hospital, an empty and deteriorating
building will be replaced by a new, attractive apartment building with several hundred neighbor residents. More
specifically, Christ Church will gain:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
New, brighter and single level garage meeting the projected needs of congregation and Harbor
Apartments
Larger garage with 20 new spaces at fixed cost of $825,000 with construction costs to be fully covered
by future garage income, not parish funds
Interior elevator access between the garage and plaza, replacing the open, steep stairway
Renewed plaza with water feature, more trees and benches
Preservation of the existing labyrinth
Substitute parking at the Harbor Court garage during construction paid by the developer
Replacement of lost income from the garage during construction by the developer
2
What Is Next?
1.
Preparing a plan for covering the $825,000 cost of the 20 new parking spaces.
2.
Negotiating a construction contract with the developer and generating numerous subsidiary agreements
implementing the general terms in the MOU.
3.
Demolition of the Deaton building beginning in March 2015 or a bit later.
4.
Securing knowledgeable and experienced congregation members who will assist with monitoring the
demolition and construction work on a continuing basis. Two persons already have agreed to consider
this responsibility.
5.
Preparing the congregation for the changes that will occur when demolition begins.
Questions? Contact a member of the Christ Church Team:
Page Croyder, [email protected]
John Geist, [email protected]
Bruce Kirby, [email protected]
Pastor Sue Tjornehoj, [email protected]
3

Download Report