Chancery Groundbreaking September 22, 2024
City of Boise blesses Diocese Chancery project
By Deacon Scott Pearhill
Editor
On Tuesday, Aug. 20, the Boise City Council voted unanimously to approve the revised application of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise, green-lighting the construction of the new Diocesan Pastoral Center (Chancery) at 902 N. 8th St., diagonally across the street from the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. More than 100 people filled the Council chambers.
“I appreciate the packed house here tonight. We have had lonely meetings where no one has been here, so it is great to see so many people,” said Council Member Luci Willits.
Collaboration and listening were key factors in moving the project forward. The City Council cited the negotiation between the Diocese and the North End Neighborhood Association (NENA) and the collaboration between the Diocese and the City as contributing to its approval of the project.
Council Member Luci Willits commented, “I’d just like to compliment the Diocese and the North End Neighborhood Association. You know it’s a real show, a true show of goodwill when you compromise when it’s not required; this project could have died, and it didn’t, because of the people, and that is what makes Boise special.”
Council Member Jordan Morales added, “This modified proposal is an improvement to what was originally brought before us, but I think the biggest improvement is the relationship between the Diocese and NENA.”
Boise City Council President Colin Nash said, “I really appreciate the spirit you brought to the meeting tonight. It’s a much different public hearing than we had several months ago.”
Sandy Herman, a NENA volunteer serving on their Historic Preservation Committee, testified that the neighborhood association appreciated the Diocese’s willingness to listen to their concerns, saying, “We appreciate that the new design is not everything that the Diocese had hoped for, but is a compromise with the neighborhood.”
In an email to the Idaho Statesman, Erik Hagen, NENA’s president, wrote, “The board deeply appreciates the Diocese representatives and the architects for their flexibility and willingness to finally consider and address our concerns. Their decision to make these changes, even though not required at this point, was a significant factor in our decision to support them.”
Earlier, on April 16, the City Council effectively killed the project when it denied the Diocese’s request to modify the original development agreement, which required mixed-use development and residential units.
In addition to negotiating with NENA and the City, the Diocese informed the Council Members that regulations requiring the Diocese to include housing violate state and federal laws known as FERPA and RLUIPA. The housing (and mixed-use) requirements substantially burden the Diocese’s free exercise of religion by requiring it to be what it is not: a city landlord and housing developer.
Boise City Council president Colin Nash commented at the conclusion of the Aug 20 meeting, “I am also unpersuaded that FERPA would require us [the City of Boise] to amend the development agreement that was imposed on a project prior to the Diocese purchase of that property. Be that as it may, I’m really appreciative of all the work that the applicant has put into this to get to a yes.” The Diocese will not have to include housing in the new Diocesan Pastoral Center.
In collaboration with the City, the Diocese consented to allow a small portion of the Chancery’s ground floor to be mixed-use (see the rendering below). That area will have a separate entrance and might include a coffee shop, Christian bookstore, or other appropriate retail unit. In collaboration with NENA, the Diocese consented to lower the building’s overall height, mainly at the roofline, while maintaining the plan to have three stories.
The Diocese does not foresee a need for fundraising to pay for the construction of the new building. The current Chancery was sold several years ago, providing needed capital for the new project.
A groundbreaking ceremony will take place after the 10 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral on Sept. 22. Those in attendance will process from the Cathedral to the nearby construction site, where the ground will be blessed during a short liturgy. After the ceremony, coffee, tea and treats will be available at the construction site.
St. Mary’s student speaks at city hall meeting
Peter (left), Alice and Joseph Ziegler after the Aug. 20 City Council meeting where the new Chancery building was approved.
(ICR Photo/Emily Woodham.)
By Emily Woodham
Staff Writer
Joseph Ziegler raised his hand to speak at the Boise City Council meeting on Aug. 20. More than 20 residents of Boise had spoken that night, but Ziegler stood out from them all– he was only 10 years old.
The Council had listened to an hour of testimony for and against approval of the new chancery building for the Diocese of Boise. The proposed building on the corner of Eighth and Fort Streets had been a point of contention since the beginning of the year. When council president Colin Nash invited Ziegler to speak at the podium, the seated crowd gave warmhearted chuckles. But Ziegler quickly dispelled any doubts as to his competency.
Ziegler turned on the lower microphone with aplomb and clearly stated his name and address. “I am 10 years old,” he continued. “I am a fourth grader at St. Mary’s Catholic School, and I support the Diocese.”
He was the only speaker that night to receive applause.
Ziegler’s testimony was a complete surprise to his mother, Alice Ziegler. “He overheard my husband and I talking in the car about the chancery building and the City Council meeting. Joseph became really interested in it and started asking a lot of questions about the controversy, zoning laws and the way the city makes decisions.”
“When the meeting first started, he wanted to say something,” Alice Ziegler said. “I was kind of discouraging. I told him let’s just listen to what everybody else has to say.”
As the evening went on, Joseph Ziegler became more insistent. “He really wanted to say something. He was so earnest to be a part of it and support the Diocese,” his mother said. She stayed in her seat and allowed Ziegler to go to the podium by himself.
“I was shocked that he wanted to go up. I was very grateful that the city council president was so encouraging.”
Alice Ziegler credits St. Mary’s with her son’s fearless approach to public speaking. “They do such a good job of having the kids do public speaking early on, such as participating in the Mass and doing the readings, starting in first grade. I think that is part of why he was able to be so mature and confident in speaking in front of a group. However, I was kind of a wreck.”
Alice Ziegler’s favorite part of the evening was seeing her son’s enthusiasm. “When they were doing the vote and announced the approval– Joseph threw his arms in the air. He was so excited.”
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