The board is grateful to Jim Gamble and Ken Brame for organizing the recent Town Hall meeting to update the congregation on the activities of the Long-Range Planning Committee. A summary of the February 22 meeting follows. If you were unable to attend the town hall in person, you can view a recording here. This weekend, Friday, March 6 – Sunday, March 8, Sara Green from Stewardship for Us will be meeting with small groups to lay the groundwork for a possible capital campaign. 

Building Our Future: Highlights from the Long-Range Planning Meeting

On February 22, 2026, our congregation gathered for a pivotal Long-Range Planning (LRP) meeting to discuss the future of our campus and community. Led by Jim Gamble and Ken Brame, the presentation provided a roadmap for how we can address our growing needs while staying true to our values of inclusion and stewardship. 

Honoring Our Progress

The meeting began with a recap of Phase One, led by John Bates, which launched in October 2023. This initial phase identified critical infrastructure gaps: a sanctuary often at capacity, a lack of youth Faith Formation (formerly “RE”) classrooms and offices, insufficient storage, and the aging state of our buildings at 21 and 23 Edwin Place.

We are already seeing “quick wins” from this work. New interlocking chairs have been added to the sanctuary to increase seating, and this spring will bring a new pulpit riser to improve sightlines and the installation of safety handrails both inside and along the walkway between parking lots.

Vision for the Campus

The “Phase Two” team is now focused on larger, transformative projects:

• Sandburg Hall: Plans include sound abatement, room dividers, and enclosing the deck to create a sunroom-style meeting space. Upgrading the kitchen is also a priority to attract rental income from weddings and events.
• The Edwin Place Properties: The team is weighing two paths for 21 Edwin: a $400,000–$500,000 renovation or demolishing it to build a modern, flexible multipurpose building for offices and classrooms. For 23 Edwin, we are exploring a potential FEMA buyout, which could provide $632,000 for the congregation and turn the lot into a city-maintained “passive recreation” green space.
• Outdoor Spaces: A $40,000 plan is in place to expand and beautify the Memorial Garden while addressing water runoff issues.

Listening to the Congregation

The most vibrant part of the meeting was the Q&A session, where members shared vital feedback. A clear theme emerged: accessibility to the lower level of Sandburg Hall should be a priority. Many members urged the committee to prioritize an elevator or lift for Sandburg Hall and any new construction, noting that true inclusion means every part of our campus is accessible to everyone.

Others raised questions about whether these plans sufficiently account for a congregation that could grow beyond 500 members. Discussions touched on the possibility of a full second service, satellite locations, and ensuring any new buildings have a low carbon footprint.

The Road Ahead

We are entering a season of active discernment. In March, consultants will meet with leadership to assess our fundraising potential, followed by member interviews in May to gauge support for a capital campaign. If we move forward, the campaign is slated to launch in August 2026.

As Jim Gamble emphasized, “No surprises” is the goal. This is a collective journey, and your input will shape the final designs and priorities. Together, we are building a home that can hold our growing community for the next 100 years.

Thanks so much, the UU AVL Long Range Planning Team

Ken Brame, Bill Clontz, Holly DeMuth, Charles Forrest, Jim Gamble, Glenn White, Wink Zachritz; Rev. Audette Fulbright Fulson, Donald Post