I haven't said much of what's been going on, because of it's sensitive nature and some of the negative attention we've been getting, but our church (Magic Valley Bible Church) has been looking into purchasing the old Cain's building in Downtown Twin Falls. In order to do this, we had to go before the Planning & Zoning Committee and request a Special Use Permit. The first time we did this, the committee shot us down, but we later found out that it was botched because they didn't give us a chance for rebuttal. It was quite the deal, as it made the local newspaper and even talk radio. Soon after, we were called back and we met again last night, but this time we were more than prepared. We had letters and signatures from neighboring businesses in our support, the law on our side, and pictures (taken by some fantastic photographers :) ) of the empty and decaying buildings downtown, including the Cain's building, which has been empty since August 2008. Downtown is withering away. There's nothing there but pubs, tattoo shops, and a hookah bar. Many businesses are leaving the area due to these unsavory neighbors and I can't say that I blame them, but that aside, these once-beautiful buildings are literally just rotting away - the building in question especially. But it's PERFECT for us and despite the amount of work it will take to restore it, we're more than willing, able, and eager to do whatever it takes to make this building our church home.
I didn't get to go to the first P&Z Meeting, but I went to last night's to support my church family. The majority of the room was filled with our group, but there was some opposition. Some interesting ones: The co-chairman for Downtown Alive (a group trying to revitalize Downtown) said he'd much rather have bars and we just "didn't fit" into his "plan" for Downtown (interestingly enough, he also wanted to kick the thrift stores out of Downtown because they "didn't fit" - which makes ZERO sense to me), a random guy got up to say that he had much more exciting and imaginative ideas for the building...when he had the money to buy it (the owner of the building then got up to say that he had no idea who this guy was or didn't know anything about his offer - the guy quickly left after that), and one of the P&Z Committee Members said that the only thing that could help Downtown would be a couple of bulldozers. It was an interesting thing to watch, really and despite this minor opposition, the committee voted in our favor, just barely, 5-4. I was on pins and needles the whole time! Now, there is a 15-day period for someone to appeal against us, which would then take us before the City Council. I'm hesitant to really start celebrating, but if anything, by God's grace, we had a minor victory.
These people, speaking of our church family, never cease to amaze me. When they come together for a cause, they don't do it half-heartedly. They go all the way. Together. For God's glory. I'm proud to be apart of that and I have no doubts that we'll be able to do something marvelous in Christ's name. There was definitely some spiritual warfare going on in this situation, but God was gracious and stood by us all the way and together, again with His strength and grace, we will make that building beautiful again, with our own two hands.
Watch and see what the body of Christ can do.
Here's the article that was posted in today's Times News.
