OSV: Former seminaries find new life, uses creative mixed use of former seminary building helps maintain heart of Madison diocese

As Todd Burud made regular visits to the former Holy Name Seminary in Madison, Wisconsin, during the past few years to serve at Mass or to visit diocesan ministries headquartered there, he watched the progress of a renovation project at the massive 53-year-old building.

He showed his wife, Kathy, the high-end apartments taking the place of dorm rooms that hadn’t housed seminarians in more than 20 years. When the couple, both 63, decided to downsize into one of those apartments, they were excited to move down the hall from a chapel containing the Blessed Sacrament and to be a short walk from offices that make up the heart of the diocese.
...
The Buruds’ apartment is part of a $21-million project in which the Diocese of Madison and its partners have turned underutilized space in the 240,000 square-foot former high school seminary into 53 one- and two-bedroom rental apartments whose occupants bring new vitality and financial stability to the building, said Msgr. James Bartylla, vicar general of the diocese. Their neighbors include Madison Bishop Robert C. Morlino, as well as Catholics, non-Catholics, empty nesters and young professional families.

continue at Our Sunday Visitor

ht acardnal

Grand opening for Holy Name Heights/Bishop O’Connor Catholic Center

MADISON -- “We have much to celebrate today,” said Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison. “We’re just beginning.”

He spoke those words at the start of a Votive Mass of the Most Holy Name of Jesus on August 18 -- the day of the grand opening of the Holy Name Heights/Bishop O’Connor Catholic Center in Madison.

Later in his homily, Bishop Morlino said the day was a “cementing of old friendships and the beginning of new ones” and he remarked on the “power” of the building now being called Holy Name Heights.

“The name of Jesus means power, means healing, means reverence,” Bishop Morlino said. “We, today, in this building, have a new kind of power in our witness to the world. We will, in so many ways, be in a much better position to use this building to proclaim the Gospel.”

continue at MadCatHerald 

Sneak preview tour of Bishop O’Connor Catholic Center renovation

Sneak peak at Holy Name Heights / Bishop O'Connor Center renovation next week. You are invited... http://www.madisoncatholicherald.org/news/around-diocese/6026-bocc-preview.html
Posted by Diocese of Madison on Thursday, December 3, 2015

MADISON -- A special invitation has been extended to parishioners in the Diocese of Madison and friends for a sneak preview tour of the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Center renovation. It will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m.

Get an insider look at the sensitive, eco-friendly restoration initiatives now underway. When the renovation of the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Center is complete in spring of 2016, it will be home to diocesan offices, Catholic Charities, the Catholic Herald, Relevant Radio, and 53 beautiful one- and two-bedroom residences at Holy Name Heights.

MadCatHerald

For a while they were thinking of even selling or renting it I believe.  Perhaps the chapel will be renovated as well....

Bishop Morlino approves proceeding with Bishop O’Connor Center redevelopment project

MADISON -- After consulting with diocesan boards, Bishop Robert C. Morlino has approved going forward with the proposed redevelopment project for the Bishop O’Connor Center (BOC).

Bishop Morlino met with the Diocesan Finance Council and College of Consultors (priests charged with advising the bishop) on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20 and 21, respectively. The attendees of each body unanimously consented under canon law to authorize Bishop Morlino to make a decision on whether to proceed with the redevelopment project as proposed by Gorman & Company.

After these meetings concluded, Bishop Morlino approved proceeding with the project for the Bishop O’Connor Center as a mixed-use project, including 53 market-rate residential apartments and commercial space that includes religious use by the Diocese of Madison, Catholic Charities, Catholic Herald, Relevant Radio, and Catholic Mutual.

Msgr. James Bartylla, vicar general of the diocese, commented, “The redevelopment project for the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center allows the Diocese of Madison to reduce its occupancy costs as it remains at an historical site that maintains the legacy of Holy Name Seminary and preserves the Catholic identity of a beautiful campus on the west side of Madison that appeals to the community and the neighborhood.

continue at MadCatHerald

Madison Diocesan offices to stay at Bishop O’Connor Center along with housing community

Last year, the Diocese of Madison announced its entrance into an agreement with Gorman & Company to study the redevelopment of the BOC in order to make better use of the property, provide for capital improvements, and continue to provide for the important ministries of the diocese.

For the past nine months, Gorman & Company has continued to explore various renovation plans and funding options. After numerous analyses and configuration options, a refined redevelopment plan has been proposed for the BOC to fit more closely the needs of the diocese and Gorman & Company.

To both parties’ satisfaction, an updated mixed-use development plan is envisioned for the property, comprised of approximately 54 multi-family residential apartment units, continuation of the current diocesan offices and chapel on site, including Catholic Charities and other affiliated organizations, as well as maintenance of the beautiful grounds that make this a hallmark property on the west side of Madison.

This allows the Diocese of Madison to maintain its presence in the single most visible and recognizable Catholic structure in the 11-county diocese, while enhancing the economic capability of the property by seeking long-term coverage for total expenses. This is accomplished by offering a unique housing community with numerous amenities, at a beloved and historic location on the west side of the city with a picturesque view of Madison. The Diocese of Madison will retain ownership of the property.

Commending Gorman & Company’s refined plan, all their diligent work, and what it affords the diocese, Bishop Morlino said,“From the beginning, this project has been about establishing a firm footing for the future of our diocesan Church. We knew this would require sacrifices, and we were prepared to find a new temporary home for our offices.

“Through the continued work and creativity of excellent and expert lay leaders, we now have a way to maintain our offices in the redeveloped building and maintain a very visible link in continuity with our past. I am more grateful than ever for the assistance of Gary Gorman and his staff in working for a solution that has surpassed even our previous expectations.”

details at MadCaTHerald

PHoto

Hit pause on “Lumen House”? Holy Redeemer School might make a great chancery

I saw yesterday’s big news a bit late, on a newspaper at Walgreen’s. It had a picture of the Bishop O’Connor Center on the front page, and the story was that the diocese was considering leasing the building to a developer who would turn the expansive building, formerly Holy Name Seminary, into apartments. Go here for the information direct from the Diocese. A surprise to me, and a sad one because I like this place, where I often stop in for noon Mass when I visit an elderly friend each Thursday at nearby All Saints Assisted Living. I have taken great pleasure walking the gorgeous grounds with tall grass and wildflowers–though I fervently hope we would continue to be permitted to do so.

The proposal does make sense. The building is costing the diocese half a million dollars per year and would allegedly continue to require major capital investments. The proposal would save those funds and generate a positive revenue stream for the diocese. This would prioritize the education of our large number of excellent seminarians. My reaction is, okay probably let’s go ahead.

The same day, yesterday evening at 5pm, was the groundbreaking for another initiative to turn a cherished Catholic building into apartments: Lumen House, the new name for Holy Redeemer School. It’s slated to be turned into apartments intended for Catholic UW students associated with Saint Paul’s. Bishop Morlino and Monsignor Holmes were there, so was the developer and various others involved in the project. Although people had been invited, there was also Mass starting around the same time so maybe that is why there seemed to be few random parishioners other than me present. Bishop Morlino blessed a symbolic pile of dirt, Monsignor Holmes the pastor sprinkled the dirt and the building with holy water. Father Eric Nielsen the pastor of Saint Paul’s didn’t attend the groundbreaking, rather Saint Paul’s had been represented by two students. He walked by just afterward and after briefly greeting the students he simply went to the Adoration Chapel in the basement of Holy Redeemer Church.

continue at Laetificat

Madison Diocese beginning long-term process to renovate O’Connor Center

Just released today: the Diocese of Madison is likely going to begin the 60 year process of redeveloping the Bishop O’Connor Pastoral Center on Madison’s west side.

Considering the structural issues that they mention, as well as the massive operating defect (right at about half a million), I think this is a fantastic stewardship of their resources, particularly since it will return to diocesan control at the end of the arrangement, and will also be a revenue stream for the diocese, instead of a financial sink-hole. It’s definitely a long term project though: a 60 year lease to the development company. I’ll be around to see it returned to diocesan use, God willing, but many of you may not.

I have spent a lot of time at the BOC for many events, both attending them, and assisting behind the scenes with them, and I can tell you that while the front half of the building has recently been redone, and looks very nice, the building itself is still quite old, and not in the greatest shape. I’ve seen those back-end closets, and those hidden areas, and it’s not in the greatest shape.

Of course, this will require all of the diocesan offices, as well as the other offices renting space, such as Catholic Charities, the Relevant Radio 1240 studios, among others, to find new locations. I pray everything works out well for everyone in finding a new location for their offices. I will be interested to see where the diocesan offices are moved, assuming they go ahead with these plans.

continue at The Yanke Report

Photo