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PREPARE HIM ROOM! CAMPAIGN

Newman Center Plans Receive Unanimous City Approval

“I’m humbled by the community of donors whose generosity has transformed this project and brought us to a point where we could consider something of this magnitude,” says Fr. Fred Lucci, O.P., Director of the Newman Center

The Newman Center submitted plans this fall to further develop its land, enabling members to fully live out the mission of providing a home for ASU students and members of the university committee. The vision is to create a place where students can live, worship, socialize and explore their faith with other students and members of a Catholic based community.
On March 20, 2008, Holy Thursday, over 100 people crowded into Tempe City Council Chambers to show their support. The City Council, in an enthusiastic vote of confidence, unanimously approved the plans. “The Newman Center has always enjoyed a strong relationship with the City of Tempe and we look forward to working together to increase the opportunities for worship, socialization, learning and living here in this great city”, says Mary Macuga, Director of Development at Newman.
On March 20, 2008, Holy Thursday, over 100 people crowded into Tempe City Council Chambers to show their support.The City Council, in an enthusiastic vote of confidence, unanimously approved the plans. , says Mary Macuga, Director of Development at Newman.
On March 20, 2008, Holy Thursday, over 100 people crowded into Tempe City Council Chambers to show their support.The City Council, in an enthusiastic vote of confidence, unanimously approved the plans, says Mary Macuga, Director of Development at Newman.

While the centerpiece of the project remains the beautiful chapel and adoration chapel that we have all envisioned and worked toward, now that space will be enhanced with an additional 25,000 square feet of space including a social hall, campus ministry lounge, kitchen, staff offices and modern classrooms. Above this new Campus Ministry Center will be living space for 550 students committed to living a life of Catholic values.
In her enthusiasm for a values-based student residence, Councilmember Onnie Shekerjian praised the plan and congratulated the Newman Center for “thinking outside of the box.”
Once the terms of approval with the City are finalized, the design development phase will begin to refine the design of the chapel, ministry space and the unit types in the student housing project. This process will take 3 to 4 months and conclude with a final design. The Center will then move into the construction documentation phase and hopes to be under construction by the beginning of 2009.

The staff and volunteer Construction Advisory Team wishes to express its gratitude for the support the community has shown this project and is immensely thankful for the City Council and City of Tempe Staff approval of our work to date.