Construction Begins on Bell Tower Green

The time has come. The parking lot across the street from St. John’s is no longer available. Groundbreaking on the project officially began July 23.

Although the parking lot was never owned by St. John’s, it has long been available for community use, including  Sunday worship. The plans for the park include the elimination of the parking lot, but the addition of angled parking along Church, Fisher, and Jackson streets once the project is completed.

St. John’s Parking Task force has identified 85 marked parking spots on the St. John’s campus, not counting the old K-Town gravel lot, which can accommodate at least 15 cars for a total of 100 spaces on campus. There are 17 in the CMC lot, 29 in the CDC lot, 26 in the Sanctuary/Ed. Building lot, and 13 in the Peeler Hall lower level lot. An additional 230 public parking spaces were identified within one block of St. John’s, for a total of 330 spaces available on Saturdays and Sundays.

Parking spaces are indicated on the map on the opposite page. Additionally, Mike Agee is working on an updated 3-D map to help with navigation and parking here at St. John’s.

The Parking Task Force continues to look into possible parking solutions as we live into our new reality, particularly until the new spaces are provided, with as much hospitality as possible.

One way we can work together in hospitality and love is to make sure the spaces outside the education hall and sanctuary are available for elderly and handicapped on Sunday mornings and all other congregation-wide activities, including events like Wednesday Meals beginning next month.  We are also considering purchasing a multi-passenger golf cart.

Another way we can live out our hospitality is by welcoming the new city park, which will essentially be our new front yard. In addition to thinking about our own parking limitations, we can begin thinking about the opportunities for community partnership, engagement, and ministry that can come from having a beautiful community space situated right in front of our door steps.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or have interest in volunteering with a possible parking or golfcart ministry on Sunday mornings, please contact the church office.

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