2018 Summer

The SFCAC Main Building Revitalization Project (MBRP) began with a vision and prayers when Rev. Sam Lai joined SFCAC as an associate pastor in February 2018. He saw how God blessed SFCAC with three properties in a prime location, Parkside of San Francisco, where real estate is in high demand. He felt that the three buildings were underused during the weekdays while the main building lacked communal space to allow people to gather and hang out on Sundays. With the vision of expanding the Lord’s Kingdom and envisioning how the properties can be updated and redesigned for greater use, he diligently prayed and actively sought out brothers and sisters who shared a similar vision, explored possibilities with church members in the construction and architectural fields, and discussed the idea with staff and GBoard members.

 

2018 December 1st

With brothers and sisters who shared the same vision, Rev. Sam Lai formed a ministry team called the Communal Mission Team (CMT), to dream and brainstorm ideas on how to connect the members of SFCAC and outreach to the community in the Parkside area. They explored the uses of  the facilities and possible renovation work to best serve the current and future ministries.

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2018 December 11th

In December 2018, SF city government passed the motion to eliminate minimum off-street parking requirements. This was an answered prayer because it allows us to use the garage as permitted space for ministries.

 

2019 April to September

Rev. Sam Lai consulted with architectural and structural professionals regarding the possibilities of converting the parking garage to usable space. When this development was shared with the CMT, the team began involving SFCAC members in the MBRP vision. Using surveys and interviews, CMT collected ideas and aspirations about the SFCAC buildings. Two members of the CMT, Jo Wong and Poyi Lai, formed the Design Team to brainstorm interior design ideas for the Main Building based on the vision of connecting SFCAC members and outreach to the community. They began measuring the main building and reviewed original floor plans.

 

2019 June to December

Rev. Sam Lai continued to share the vision and update ideas with the GBoard members. Upon the Board's unified and unanimous agreement, the CMT devoted time in discussing and drawing out plans. The Project Team was formed, which includes Rev. Sam Lai, Dennis Yeung, Kevin Wong, Jo Wong, Poyi Lai, and Daniel Siu. With the inputs and dedication of Dennis, who is an experienced expediter in submitting plans to the city government, and Kevin, who is an experienced interior designer, the Project Team prepared a preliminary plan for the San Francisco Building Department’s feedback. At the same time, Rev. Sam Lai started to engage and discuss with Bronia Leung of the Stewardship Team and Gary Ng of the Finance Team to research on possible finance options.

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2019 December

Due to a sudden downpour in December, the garage and the children's classrooms were flooded with rainwater. This incident further highlighted the necessity to revitalize the Main Building. On December 31, Rev. Sam Lai, Peter Lum, Dennis Yeung, and Kevin Wong met with the San Francisco Building Department to review the preliminary plan. Praise the Lord that the city officials highly complimented the proposed improvements to the property. Based on the feedback from the City, the Project Team revised the designs in compliance with the building codes.

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2020 March to May

The Project Team shared with the Cantonese, English, and Mandarin ministry teams the vision, purpose, and design concept with preliminary layouts of the MBRP.  Most of the ministry team members were positive about the project.

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2020 June to October

The Project Team continued to revise the designs after receiving feedback from various ministry teams and leaders. The team continued to consult with architectural, structural, MEP professionals, and general contractors about the scope, timeline and cost of the project. The Design Team started to research and decide on finishing materials, cost, and revised renderings with two additional members, Elaine Tong Law and Angel Kwok, who are licensed architects. The pastoral team started a preaching series on "Building Up" to prayerfully seek the Lord’s leading on the MBRP. At the end of October, Rev. Sam Lai shared the vision and purposes of MBRP to the congregations.

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2020 November

A town hall meeting will be hosted on November 15 to cast the vision and share the project details to brothers and sisters. Three months of consultation period will be provided to the SFCAC family to pray, ask questions, and provide feedback for the project. A vote for the project will be held at the February 2021 congregational meeting.

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November 15 Town Hall Meeting

For the chat room records, questions asked in the chat room and answers during the Town Hall Meeting, please click here.

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