New Location Chosen for United Methodist Center

NOTE: Article updated September 2, 2015.

The North Georgia Conference Board of Trustees and the Relocation Subcommittee have announced that the United Methodist Center will relocate to the 1700 Century Center building on Century Circle near Clairmont Road and I-85 in Atlanta. 

Conference officials signed a 7.5 year lease for the building on March 31.

The building will accommodate the entire United Methodist Center on one ground-level floor that is fully accessible. A basement is included in the agreement at a discounted rental rate and provides expansion and sublease possibilities.

The building is currently empty and will be customized to the United Methodist Center’s needs. Construction will begin in the coming weeks.

There will be no expense in the proposed 2016 budget related to the United Methodist Center. All 2015 and 2016 lease expenses will be covered by net proceeds from sale of Simpsonwood.

The search for a new United Methodist Center began just after a called session of the 2014 North Georgia Annual Conference approved a sale of the Simpsonwood property.

Five specific parameters were chosen to guide the search process: affordability, accessibility, visibility, sustainability, and availability.

"This space meets all the criteria we outlined," said Rev. Dr. John Simmons, chair of the Conference Board of Trustees. "The location is readily accessible, it's visible, and it will be our building. We will be the only tenant."

Members of the Relocation Subcommittee are: Jeff Adams, chair (Conference Board of Trustees member), Rev. Jane Brooks (Conference staff), Keith Cox (Conference staff), Jeff Jernigan (AMAR District Lay Leader), Dr. Bernice Kirkland (ACPK District Superintendent), Dr. John Simmons (Conference Board of Trustees chair), and Dawn Townsend (NWST District Lay Leader).