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Bell Tower Lofts: interior demolition done; developer expects late 2025'early 2026 completion
Summary
Developer Daryl High updated the council on Bell Tower Lofts progress: interior demolition finished, sanctuary and roof framing under way, asbestos abated, termite damage repaired; exterior demolition is planned for early April and the development team expects completion late 2025 to early 2026.
Daryl High, representing Bell Tower Lofts, High Properties and Conlon Construction, gave the City Council an on-site construction update during the March 4 work session.
High said interior demolition is complete, balcony floor repairs have been made and sanctuary floor framing has begun. He reported the roof structure and bell tower framing are in place, asbestos abatement is finished, and crews found and removed termite-damaged floor systems in the south portion of the church. The original limestone foundation in the south church portion has been tuckpointed and structurally repaired.
High described ongoing and near-term work: dismantling and removing an existing large boiler system in the basement, planned replacement of the shingle roof (weather permitting), scheduled bell-tower tuckpointing the following week and exterior demolition starting in early April. He said the team is awaiting permit sets for framing and underground plumbing work in the main church and the former Sunday school wing, and that the developer is coordinating with city staff and Lion Energy to bury power lines and finalize transformer locations.
High said the team found significant debris and damage inside the bell tower after the bell fell; crews recovered the bell and the current plan is to mount it for public display in the alley with an informational plaque. He said ideas under consideration include a water feature and making the bell ringable for special events, but the final decision remains with the developer and project partners.
When asked about the schedule, High said the team hopes to finish the project in 2025 but that realistic completion likely falls between late 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 as remaining framing and contracted trades are completed.
High invited council members and city staff to tour the site and show progress photos; council members expressed appreciation for the contractor's work and the level of structural repair being done to preserve the church building while converting it to housing units. High said there will be residential units inside the bell tower and in the church; architects are still finalizing unit counts and window preservation decisions.
The presentation included project photos and a description of remaining permitting and contractor coordination.
