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Community Action’s Gathering Place wins zone change to move meals program three blocks west
Summary
The commission approved a PUD amendment and subarea to allow Community Action to renovate 919 South 12th Street for The Gathering Place, including a slight height waiver for an addition; the move is expected to preserve services and support a $2.5 million renovation.
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission voted 8-0 April 16 to approve a change of zone and a PUD subarea that will allow Community Action Partnership to relocate The Gathering Place, its long-running evening meal program, to 919 South 12th Street.
Community Action plans to renovate a vacant, roughly two-and-a-half–story brick building owned by NeighborWorks Lincoln and convert it for The Gathering Place, which serves evening meals seven nights a week and provides other support services. Heather Lachman, CEO of Community Action, said the building is double the square footage of the program's current home and will help the program meet growing demand.
Lachman presented service data showing rising need: the monthly average meals served rose from about 2,900 in 2022 to about 4,600 in 2024. She said roughly 74% of guests live within 1 to 12 blocks of the site and most walk to the program.
The project calls for interior renovation, rebuilding the front porch, and a west-side addition to provide delivery and loading access as well as an elevator and additional exit. The applicant requested a waiver to increase a maximum height limit from 35 feet to 40 feet for the elevator/roof area; staff said the waiver is to accommodate the addition and a rooftop patio. Lachman said the rooftop patio is envisioned in part for container gardening to supply fresh ingredients for meals.
NeighborWorks CEO Charles Wesch, who owns the property, said NeighborWorks will sell the building to Community Action. Wesch called the proposed $2.5 million investment in the Everett neighborhood "a win-win-win," noting the nonprofit purchased a distressed property and found a long-term community use for it.
Community supporters — including nearby nonprofit HUB (Central Access Point for Young Adults) and Union Bank — testified in favor of the relocation. Neighbors and the applicant said the renovation is expected to take about 18 months to two years, with a target completion date of about April 15, 2027.
The commission approved change of zone 21020C with the built-in waiver and forwarded the recommendation to the city council for final action; the vote was recorded 8-0.
