Immediate work includes environmental clean up and site clearing. At the same time we will begin to develop the area which, as it is completed over the next few years, will include the diocesan offi ces/operations center, conference facilities and evangelization center. We are pleased that Saint Mary's Health Care services will share some of this new building with us.

As you know, we are also selling the property on Burton Street to partially offset the costs of renovating the new area and will look to bonds and donations to complete it. Cathedral Square enables us to join more closely with neighboring institutions such as Saint Mary's Health Care Campus which includes The Lacks Cancer Center, The Wege Institute, and the new Hauenstein Center currently under construction.

As we better understand the needs of this neighborhood, the broader community and Catholic partners, we will begin looking seriously at refurbishing Saint Andrew School as well as complementing our neighborhood growth in the best way possible. We will learn a lot from Saint Mary's master planning as well as the Grand Rapids' Inner City Christian Federation's plans to redevelop the area south of Wealthy and from Division eastward beginning this summer.

These are some of the renewal efforts taking place in this downtown area. I am proud that, as church, we will have a strong presence there. I ask for your prayers and support in this effort. As we put more specifi c plans together, I will continue to keep you informed. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I am grateful for all you do for Our Lord's Church. With good wishes to you and your family, Sincerely yours in the Lord.