The proposal calls for the construction of only one new building - a sanctuary with administrative offices measuring 24,081 square feet - and the removal of two existing structures to create more parking. These improvements to the campus will significantly improve both the worship and the learning experiences of Salem Lutheran church members and students.

Church attendance has increased in recent years so that multiple services must be scheduled each week and it is difficult for the congregation to gather as one body to worship. The proposed new sanctuary will:

• provide a dedicated spiritual center for Salem’s worship services,
• offer more comfortable seating arrangements to members,
• improve the acoustics of both music and voice during services, and
• create enough space for the congregation to worship together at the same time on occasion.

A concern for the parents of Salem Lutheran students is the traffic congestion that occurs on Orange Park Blvd. at the intersection of Frank Lane during a 15-30 minute period on weekday mornings and afternoons when the parents are dropping off or picking up their children. This proposed redesign will:

• improve traffic flow for vehicles entering and exiting Frank Lane,
• allow the stacking of more vehicles on site,
• improve circulation on site with five lanes and two separate pickup/dropoff sites for K-8 and the preschool,
• significantly reduce backups on Orange Park Blvd. and Santiago Canyon Road.

Church members will benefit from the campus redesign, which also will:

• expand on-site parking by more than half,
• improve access to parking areas, and
• make it easier to find a parking space on campus.