Facilities and Real Estate Recommendations and Action Steps

GOAL 1: TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF ALL FACILITIES AND LAND OWNED BY THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER AND LEVERAGE THOSE GIFTS TO ALLOW US TO ADVANCE THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH, LEADING PEOPLE CLOSER TO CHRIST.

Action Step 1.1

Build the appropriate staff and volunteer leadership structure to oversee land and facilities.

Action Step 1.2

Adopt policies and procedures for the staff and the Diocesan Facilities and Real Estate (DFRE) Council, to lead the Office of Facilities and Real Estate.

Action Step 1.3

Determine needed staffing and budget for Building Dept.

Action Step 1.4

Establish a Diocesan Facilities and Real Estate Council, (DFRE Council) made up of lay and clergy who meet quarterly. Define roles and responsibilities of this newly formed council.

Action Step 1.5

Create a database of all buildings and land.

Action Step 1.6

Formalize protocol with the DFRE Council to determine a plan as buildings become vacant: to sell, lease, or determine an adaptive re-use.

As the most obvious beneficiary of vacant properties, Catholic Social Services (CSS) will establish a buildings and facilities committee to assist the CEO to assess current vacant buildings for adaptive re-use options in order to advance the CSS mission.

Action Step 1.7

DFRE Council establishes protocols and procedures for the stewardship of sacred spaces / closed churches.

Action Step 1.8

Secure a 10,000 square foot, climate-controlled storage facility to warehouse contents of closed churches.

Action Step 1.9

Establish an inventory database of all contents of closed churches

Action Step 1.10

Create a page on diocesan website and market inventory that is for sale or donation, to manage and move inventory on an ongoing basis.

Action Step 1.11

Assess and streamline the # of diocesan property contracts.

Organize inventory of property and facility contracts – e.g., property and building insurance, mechanical, maintenance, copiers, landscaping, trash removal, snow removal, et al – and rebid.

GOAL 2: IMPROVE SERVICE AND SUPPORT TO THE PARISHES, SCHOOLS AND MINISTRIES OF THE DIOCESE BY STRENGTHENING THE WAY DIOCESAN DEPARTMENTS COORDINATE, COLLABORATE AND USE TECHNOLOGY, TO ADVANCE THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH THROUGHOUT THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER.

Action Step 2.1

Survey current diocesan department leadership regarding space requirements – including Catholic Social Services and Diocesan Healthcare Facilities and estimate future needs for Diocesan Ministry and Administrative space.

Action Step 2.2

Benchmark other dioceses who have undergone similar consolidation and identify potential sites.

Action Step 2.3

Formalize a Chancery Relocation Committee that will eventually serve as a subcommittee of the Diocesan Facilities and Real Estate Council to provide ongoing leadership for this process. This committee shall meet monthly with staff and the Bishop to the determine feasibility of relocation and to establish a detailed relocation and development plan.

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