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Community Action to buy 919 South 12th for Gathering Place; planning commission approves PUD sub‑area amendment
Summary
The planning commission voted 8–0 to approve change of zone 21020C to create Sub‑Area 2 in the South of Downtown PUD, allowing neighborhood support services at 919 South 12th Street so Community Action can relocate the Gathering Place and renovate the 100‑year‑old building.
The Lincoln Lancaster County Planning Commission voted 8–0 to approve change of zone 21020C, creating Sub‑Area 2 within the south‑of‑downtown Planned Unit Development to allow neighborhood support services at 919 South 12th Street.
Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties told the commission the move will allow The Gathering Place — the agency’s evening meal program that serves dinner seven nights a week — to relocate from its current site on Goodhue Boulevard and E Street to a larger building two to three blocks away. Heather Lachman, Community Action CEO, said the selected building, owned by NeighborWorks Lincoln, is roughly double the square footage of the current facility and will support a larger, modern kitchen, accessibility improvements, a loading area for deliveries and an elevator. NeighborWorks’ CEO Charles Wesch said NeighborWorks will sell the property to Community Action.
Why it matters: The Gathering Place is a long‑running meal program in the neighborhood. Lachman presented data showing rising need: monthly average meals served increased from about 2,900 in 2022 to about 4,600 in 2024, and Community Action said roughly 74% of guests live within one to 12 blocks and most walk to the facility. Lachman said the renovation is expected to be roughly $2.5 million and could take 18–24 months, with a tentative completion target around April 15, 2027.
The proposed renovation includes an addition on the west side for an elevator and an egress/ delivery area. The applicant requested a minor height waiver (from 35 feet to 40 feet) to accommodate an elevator shaft and a rooftop patio area intended for staff use and small‑scale container gardening. Ben Callahan of the planning department said the project aligns with the PUD’s downtown transitional district goals by reusing and reinvesting in an existing building and improving accessibility and services in the neighborhood.
Supporters testified in favor, including NeighborWorks Lincoln, the HUB (Central Access Point for Young Adults) and Union Bank; NeighborWorks’ CEO Charles Wesch described the move as a “win” and said NeighborWorks purchased the property to stabilize it and pursue a reuse. Commissioners asked questions about front‑door accessibility, future use of the current Gathering Place building and parking; staff and applicants said the city parking lot adjacent to the site remains open and conversations about neighborhood reuse of the current property will continue.
Provenance: Item 4.3 was introduced with planning staff presentation of the PUD amendment and site plan for 919 South 12th; the commission recorded the motion to approve change of zone 21020C and the clerk announced “Approved 8 to 0.”
Ending: The Planning Commission recommendation now proceeds to the city council and county board as required by procedure; Community Action will begin fundraising and design work for the renovation if approvals proceed.
