January 2004

Credit Union Construction will soon begin.
By Magne A. Hatlevik, Congregational Council President

We had a good special Congregational Meeting on November 23^rd. It was not unanimous but the "Yes" had it by a large margin. This vote authorized the President and Secretary of the Congregation to sign the Declaration of Easements and Covenants between the City-County Federal Credit Union and Mindekirken after the Congregational Council had approved changes.

With the help of our hired legal advisor Michael Bash, we have successfully negotiated a couple of final changes to the agreement. I attended the City Planning Commission meeting where the Credit Union plan was approved and the day after, the Congregational Council gave the OK to sign the Declaration after just another change has been negotiated.

So how will this affect life at Mindekirken? The Credit Union has a schedule to proceed with their project. On December 29^th they will have a final meeting with the City of Minneapolis and will close the purchase of the property one of the first days in January 2004. Once they have completed the closing they have 30 days to start construction. Mindekirken will want to look at some landscaping changes that will connect up and work with the parking lot changes.

Some have expressed concern about what will happen once construction starts. Will they tear up the church parking lot and leave it that way for months? Modris Feders, the architect for the Credit Union, has assured me that they will do the improvements to the Church parking lots in several phases so that we will at least have a partial parking lot at all times. I will however like to advise everyone that by the end of January 2004 there will be Credit Union construction on or near the church property so please take the necessary precautions when you come to Mindekirken.

These are exciting times for Mindekirken and the Phillips neighborhood. By next year, we will have a fresh new parking lot with a greatly improved rainwater drainage system. And at that time we can all take the time to stop by and wish the Credit Union welcome as our new good neighbor to the north.

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716