Common Grounds Terrace Project Construction to Begin March 13
2013
Back in June of 2013, a proposal was made to create a designated Youth Initiative Fund (YIF) from part of the monies raised during the 75th Anniversary Fund Drive.
2016
The WPC Youth Initiative Committee presented Session with a plan for how to allocate the YIF funds to Session. They suggested the fund be used for improvement of physical spaces where youth meet, the creation of an outdoor multi-use recreation space, and a youth activities fund.
2020
Recognizing the implementation of the first proposal had stagnated, the University Mission and Christian Education committees came together with Reverends Dorothy and Lynne to discuss how best to utilize the YIF based on current needs. Building on the work of the previous committee, these committees created a new proposal that again focuses on investment in the indoor and outdoor facility improvements where youth and university student gather as well as designating funds for a youth intern from Union Theological Seminary.
2021
In January of 2021, WPC’s Session approved the joint proposal from the Christian Education and University Mission committees for the distribution of the monies in the YIF to be allocated to the improvement of the gathering areas on the first floor of Common Grounds and in the Rite-13 youth room as well as funding a 5-year stipend for a seminary intern focused on youth.
Committee members and staff alike quickly began the process of cleaning out Common Grounds and the Rite-13 Room and the work of repainting, replastering, and repairing these spaces began. The “indoor committee” worked hard from March-July to finalize layouts and select furnishings and finishes, then they waited (for what seemed an eternity) for the furnishings to be delivered.
In March, the “outdoor committee” began to meet and envision what a multi-use space would entail and where it would be located. With the assistance of knowledgeable members of the congregation in the areas of architecture and landscape architecture, a contextual site plan as well as potential design plans were created. The congregation was invited to provide feedback at a community meeting in November as well as feedback was solicited directly from Session members, university students and WPC youth.
2022
In February, the long-awaited furniture arrived in Common Grounds and the Rite-13 room! The outdoor committee contracted a landscape architect to move the project from conceptual to detailed drawings. In early fall, the scale of the project was adjusted to accommodate budget realities and in October, WPC Session unanimously approved the design of the “Terrace Project” as well provided some additional funding for the project from the Westminster Fund. In November, the Charlottesville Board of Architectural Review granted approval of the design, a project manager was selected by the committee, and the bidding process began.
2023
Now, almost ten years after the creation of Youth Initiative Fund (YIF), construction will begin on the multi-use terrace located adjacent to Common Grounds the week of March 13th.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING CONSTRUCTION:
First, the boxwoods will be moved to their temporary holding spot and the ground grading will commence. Next, the concrete walkways, stairs to the porch and terrace area will be poured. Installation of the landscape elements will follow and then the construction of the benches. This project should take approximately six weeks to complete. During this time, the parking spots adjacent to Common Grounds will be roped off as well as the porch entrance and the sidewalk leading from the parking area to the Gordon Avenue entrance. With a little luck and some good weather, our hope is to see UVA students studying for their finals on the terrace in May!
Indoor Project Committee
Rev. Lynne Clements
Sarah Bedford
David Heflin
Heather Henry
Nancy Paulson
Rev. Dorothy Piatt-Esguerra
Rob Winstead
Outdoor (Terrace) Project Committee
Rev. Lynne Clements
David Heflin
Heather Henry
David Oakland
Nancy Paulson
Rev. Dorothy Piatt-Esguerra
Dick Redding
Nancy Takahashi
Rob Teweles
The conceptualization and implementation of these projects have involved many members of our WPC community and staff over the years. In addition to those listed above, special thanks to the members of the University Mission, Buildings & Grounds, and Youth Committees as well as Tom Mullen, Alonzo Williams, Sandy Wilcox, and Steve Brown. Finally, thank you to all whose generosity made these projects possible.
Terrace Design & Construction
Breck Gastinger, Landscape Architect, Local Design Collective
Gerry Sackett, Project Manager, GERRYRIGS LLC Construction Management Services