The redevelopment of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethesda is one step closer to reality.
The church announced today that it has contracted with Bush Construction Corp. of Arlington to build a new church and community center on the site of the current church at 8011 Old Georgetown Road, and to develop and build a 117-unit condominium building on an adjacent property.
The church also announced that EagleBank Corp. of Bethesda will provide the “pre-development” financing for the project.
The idea of redeveloping the site was first proposed in 2006. Barry M. Lemley, owner’s representative for the church, told attendees at a meeting at The Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce that church officials hope to get county approval for the project within a year and to finish construction by 2017.
The new church and community center (rendering shown) would be seven floors total, with six above ground. The space would include a “worship center” that would seat 350 people, community recreation space (including a basketball court) and a floor housing offices oflocal nonprofits. The church and community center would total 65,000 square feet.
Lemley said that about 34,000 visitors visit the church and community organizations housed there each year. Church officials estimate the number of visitors would climb to 267,000 within five years of the opening of the new building.