Criteria for a Permanent Center

Update Introduction Project Information Make a Pledge How to Donate Building Criteria

You are invited to identify properties that might be suitable for our new permanent Center. Please provide your recommendations to the Building Committee. We will review existing buildings such as churches and commercial property or undeveloped property on which we can build. Due to zoning restrictions, the use of residential property for our new Center would be difficult. Here is information you should know.

Property Review Procedure: The Building Committee will do a review of any feasible property. If the property meets most criteria and is affordable, we will engage the Managing Council and SRF and proceed as appropriate. If a property is determined to have a high potential to serve as our permanent center, BMG members will be invited to comment prior to any acquisition decision.

Building Criteria: We conducted surveys of our membership in 2006 and 2007 to determine these criteria for a new permanent Center:

Item	Criterion
General Location	Preferred area is close to Boston such as Waltham or similar communities easily accessible by driving and public transportation.
Building Square Footage	About 2,000 square feet may be required (approx. 20’ x 50’ x 2 floors)
Parking	Off-street lot preferred, with some on-street parking. If location is in a residential neighborhood, consider parking availability and impacts to neighbors.
Public Transportation	Readily accessible by MBTA, train or bus.
Environmental Setting	Peaceful with plenty of light, minimal noise. Not a location on a noisy street.
Plot Size	Area for outside garden and Energization preferred, and possibly water.
Date of Construction	Newer preferred; acquisition should consider the cost of annual maintenance as well as cost to upgrade to building code and BMG physical requirements.
Occupancy	Stand-alone building with no tenants. We will not lease space to others.
Handicapped Access	Must have or can be added easily.
Chapel/Meditation Room	Seating for 150 preferred. Above-ground location is a must.
Additional Rooms	Kitchen, Socials, Foyer, Wash Rooms, Book Sales, Sunday School, Storage and Coat Rooms are a must. Additional rooms for a library/museum, family/children's room, and sleeping accommodations for 2 visiting monastics are desired.
Natural Light	Windows open to the outside light and air.
Utilities	Updated/adequate heating, ventilation, air conditioning system.

You may contact the Building Committee through Gene Blake, 617-510-8048 or geneblake@comcast.net.