WPC Building Project

In August 2020, a presentation was made to the congregation on plans for both Phase 1 and 2 of our building project. View the video of this presentation below.

Westwood Presbyterian Church is working with Belmont Village; with a 99-year land lease on our property, they will develop a senior living facility.  We believe that this is good stewardship of our land - for our city, for their residents, our city, and for us. During this period, Belmont will provide income to WPC, including funds that we borrow to update our own facilities. This revenue stream will enhance the mission of our church for generations to come.

Why now?

Our current facilities are aging, and increasingly inadequate for our mission. In November, 2015 our congregation voted to authorize the Session (our church board) to enter the 99-year ground lease with Belmont. The sanctuary will remain, and a new building on the south end of our campus will house our Preschool, Christian Education space, and administrative offices. Belmont’s senior living facility will include space for our new fellowship hall, kitchen, choir room, and more. Underground parking for both Belmont and WPC will also be provided. The building project will be managed primarily by Belmont; however, decisions with respect to our facilities are held by WPC. 

What’s our purpose?

The church campus we enjoy today is a gift of faithful generations who, with wisdom and generosity, secured our Wilshire property and built a church facility that has served us for over 60 years. All of it belongs to God – our call is to steward God’s assets well, in order that current and future generations of WPC members and friends can continue to be Christ’s visible, compassionate presence in West Los Angeles and around the world.
The revenue from a development project must be used to further the Mission of WPC, as overseen by our Session. This “bonus revenue” must not discourage faithful stewardship… as people of faith, we need to support what God is up to in the world.  WPC’s Mission has both internal and external components. We desire to strengthen all we do that deepens our ability to walk humbly with God, as well as all that we do to bring justice and kindness to our world’s needs.

(From the May, 2015 Session meeting, received from the “Money, Mission, and Faithful Stewardship” task force formed in December, 2014.)

When did this start?

In 2012, recognizing that our facilities are aging and inadequate for our church’s current and future mission, the Session authorized a committee to begin looking for ways to enter into a relationship with a partner that would help us develop our property. It was hoped this would provide us with much needed new facilities, and also create a revenue stream. From the beginning, our intention has been to retain our sanctuary. The rest of our property would be used for a developer to create their own facility, for WPC to have expanded space for our ministries, and adequate parking for both.

Our study determined that WPC would need approximately 26,000 sq.ft. of new space (we currently have @ 14,000 sq.ft.). Concurrently, we began conversations with potential development partners that had proven integrity and quality of the finished product. After much work, we received 3 detailed proposals from which to choose (including proposals for purchase of the property). We decided to go with a long-term lease. 

Why was Belmont selected as our partner?

• Willingness to partner through a ground lease, as opposed to the sale of a portion of our property.        

• Belmont’s mission is more in keeping with our mission than high-end condominiums (the other option).

• History of successful local development and projects throughout the U.S.

• Financial background and the strength of its financing partner.

• Demonstrated concern for the needs and priorities of WPC.

• Their executive team’s ability to communicate and work cooperatively.

What is Belmont Village?

Belmont Village was founded in 1997 to create a unique, senior-focused community that reached beyond the existing paradigm in the Assisted Living industry. Sites are carefully chosen in stable, secure neighborhoods with strong consumer appeal, and convenient access to the amenities of the surrounding community. Each Belmont Village community has been designed from the ground up to offer a superior living experience that is value-priced and tailored to senior living. Belmont Village Senior Living is a fully integrated developer, owner and operator of Assisted Living communities.

How are we paying for this project?

• Financing for our building costs are supported by Belmont and its financial partner for 30 years at 4.5% interest. We are repaying this “loan” by a reduction of the ground rent for those years, and we have the option to repay Belmont in whole or in part in advance at any time. Ground rent is the annual amount Belmont will pay in the 99-year land lease with us. Based on agreed-upon formulas, their rent and our net income will increase every five years– during the 30 years we are repaying Belmont, and through the remainder of the 99-year lease.

• A gift of $4 million dollars, and additional fundraising of $1 million, will cover the estimated $5 million cost for the Preschool facilities, has reduced the overall financing cost of the project. WPC may need to solicit funding for furnishings, sanctuary renovation, and other items in the future.

What is the church’s decision-making structure?

Our denomination (PCUSA) requires each church to be led by the Session - a board of ruling Elders and installed Pastors elected by the congregation. Our Session has responsibility for governing and guiding the church to be a community of faith, hope, love, and witness. This role includes managing the church’s physical property, budget, and programs. Only issues related to buying, selling, and mortgaging church property must also be approved by the congregation – which was done on November 15, 2015. In addition, we have received the required approval of the Presbytery of the Pacific (the council of all Presbyterian churches in our region).

In order to be responsive to the many issues arising in the development project, the Session created an administrative commission to act on its behalf through the process. The administrative commission implements Session decisions and keeps it informed.  As needed, the commission may also create ad hoc committees regarding design, construction, and logistics to fulfill its work. (Book of Order/G-3.0201; Session minutes, February 16, 2016)

Who do I contact with questions?

For more information, contact Rev. Paula Mann, our Executive Associate Pastor, at pmann@westwoodpres.org.