Interim Dean and Priest-in-Charge's Note:
Wise Stewards of Cathedral Land
I hear that rumors are flying, though they cannot be based on fact – yet.
It is true that the proposed building project at St. John’s will not be built as most recently designed; however, we are sitting pretty for a bright future when the timing is ripe.
This news is indeed disappointing for all of us who have been working and waiting for construction to begin. Please do not be discouraged; the forces at play are beyond us. All will be well with time.
On November 5, 2025 the Vestry of St. John’s Cathedral met to discuss our land and most recent proposed building development. At the meeting, they voted to call default on the second amendment, which was the second building development proposed, in order to take back control of the land we own. We view this as a step forward, not back.
There is really no one to blame. Over the past decade, there have been three proposed developments. The first was a 23-floor tower; the second was a large, dense cement and steel contiguous housing community, and the third consisted of two housing projects, one on Flower and one on Fig, lower in density constructed with cement and frame build. The second amendment to build the second project was signed in August 2022, and by January 2023 the local developer with financing had walked away. I arrived March 2023.
Think here of the British fairytale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears: the first was too big, the second was too expensive, and the third was reasonable in size, but still will not pencil out. To agree to build now would be to give away our land which would be foolish to do.
There are numerous market forces at work making it difficult to build mid-scale housing projects – even though for-profit university housing is being built all around us.
The decision to call default is to take back the land we own, so that St. John’s Cathedral can decide what happens next. The steps to dissolve our current contract with our international partners is outlined in the second amendment. Then after, all of the good work that has been done comes back to us. This means that with the right local developer, the right efficient design, and at the right time, we can begin building on a solid foundation and incorporate new ideas.
There is some excitement around building “work force” housing for low and middle-income tenants. We are called to be wise stewards of our land entrusted to us. The future of St. John’s Cathedral is as bright as ever.
With Every Blessing,
Anne+
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