Our parish is growing, and as a result, parishioners are sometimes having to park off campus. For several years, we have been using the neighboring Comcast property for additional parking. However, that property is now under contract to be developed into a new neighborhood next year, making it essential that we address our parking challenges now.
As a first step, we will clear a little more than half of our undeveloped campus and install updated drainage and detention measures. Then, working with the generous developers of McKinley Homes, their engineers at Planners & Engineers Collaborative, and their contractor, Benchmark, we will begin receiving donated excess dirt from a related McKinley Homes site. This dirt will be used to create level ground for future parking.
The project will also include an additional curb cut onto Crooked Creek Road to provide access to the expanded parking area. And, as a bonus, we are preserving space for a future sports field, pavilion, and youth cottage—and perhaps even a future rectory!
We are incredibly grateful to the City and to the Archdiocese for all their hard work in helping us move quickly during this window of a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The Lord’s hand has also been so evident throughout this entire process.
Work is expected to begin in September—hopefully sooner rather than later—and, depending on the weather, may continue for a few months.Of the anticipated $1 million cost of this project, 90% is already covered through donations and concessions. Our parish will cover the remaining 10% from our capital reserves.
If you have additional questions, please reach out to our Finance Council Chair, Bob Chapin, at gsudelts@bellsouth.net.
We will provide updates on both projects in the bulletin, weekly email blast, on social media, and here on our parish website.
Update: 9/10/26: Benchmark had the pre construction walkthrough this morning with the city at our property. It took less than 10 minutes and Benchmark now has the permit in hand! Staking crews should be onsite tomorrow through Monday.
Update 10/8/26: Crews have been hard at work clearing trees to make room for future parking.