The south side of Temple Square in Salt Lake City is about to look drastically different.

Demolition on the Temple Square South Visitors Center and portions of the Temple Squares south wall began Friday as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints starts a four-year renovation of its Salt Lake Temple and the surrounding grounds.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints closed the churchs iconic temple on Dec. 29.

The decommissioning process involves removing furnishings and sacred elements to the church from the inside of the temple in preparation for the renovation.

In the past week, hazardous materials abatement teams have begun work, according to the church.

Workers are now preparing the site ahead of excavation, the church announced Friday.

The site preparation process includes removal of statues from the grounds, including statues of the churchs founder Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith that stood south of temple. The two statues each of which weigh 18,000 pounds were put in storage.

The church also said that trees and vegetation are being removed but that they are trying to preserve some of the trees.

Andy Kirby, director of historic temple renovations for the church said in a release Friday that the tall Cedar of Lebanon tree, brought to Temple Square as a seedling more than 70 years ago, will be preserved during the renovation.

Its a special tree. Its beautiful, beloved by many, so well go through great efforts to preserve this tree as we excavate around it, Kirby said.

The excavation around the Salt Lake Temple will also start soon, according to the church. The excavation will allow for access to the temples foundation for the installation of a base isolation system that will help protect against earthquake damage.

Were designing our earthquake stabilization system to withstand ground motions or forces from an earthquake similar to a 7.2 [magnitude] earthquake, Kirby said.

The church is also emphasizing that Temple Square remains open for visitors during the renovation.

The Salt Lake Temples renovation is expected to be completed in 2024, and will be followed by a public open house and rededication.

The temple is one of the churchs pioneer-era buildings, and was completed in 1893. Several of the churchs temples from that era will be renovated, including the St. George, Manti and Logan temples.

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Demolition begins at Temple Square as part of Salt Lake Temple renovation project - Daily Herald

Happy Friday! Where yours truly is a little in awe and a little dazed at the idea of China in the span of six days building an entire hospital to handle patients of the coronavirus. The pictures from the construction site with what looks like a toddlers toy boxs worth of excavators alone are worth clicking through for.

Speaking of, you may have just may have heard theres a coronavirus outbreak happening in China. Considering Ive processed nearly 40 stories per day on the topic, I found it impossible to link to just one. If youd like to thoroughly check out the full onslaught, weve got you covered. But here are some highlights:

Although the death toll has climbed to 26 people, there are more than 800 confirmed cases, which means the death rate is not startlingly high. On top of that, mostly older men with underlying illnesses are the ones who have succumbed to the virus.

One case has been confirmed in the United States and one possible case reported. Airports in five major U.S. hubs ramped up their screenings of passengers coming in from China.

The World Health Organization is holding off on declaring a global emergency since there have been few cases outside China, and the disease doesnt seem to be spreading within other countries.

This happened at possibly one of the worst times it could have, as millions of Chinese had been preparing to travel to their hometowns for the Spring Festival.

How do you avoid the coronavirus? Wash your hands. Thats way more effective than those face masks.

Bottom line is, right now, unless you just came back from the Wuhan area in China, you probably dont need to worry about getting infected. But it does raise a good question: Is the United States ready to handle a pandemic? Experts say that, although strides have been made in recent years, no, now we are not.

The Washington Post: U.S. Readiness for a Viral Outbreak Has Improved, But Theres a Long Way to Go

And dont forget to get your flu shot! So far, in the U.S. 6,600 have died and 120,000 have been hospitalized during the 2019-20 flu season.

Whew! OK, believe it or not there was other news beyond the coronavirus.

The Supreme Court gave Republicans some breathing room when it declined a request to fast-track the health law case. The Democrats defending the law wanted the justices to make a decision before the 2020 elections and (nervous) Republicans were like, Nooo, please take your time. Any decision would have been ammo for Democrats right at the height of election season. Dems used Republicans attacks on the increasingly popular law to surge into the House during the previous midterms.

CNN: Supreme Court Signals It Wont Consider Obamacare Challenge Before Election

Meanwhile, the debate over contraception coverage is going to land back in front of the justices. At the heart of the case the justices agreed to hear lies the question: Can the Trump administration allow all sorts of employers with religious or moral objections to contraception to opt out of the coverage requirement? The overarching issue is no stranger to the Supreme Court, but it comes with the caveat that most lawsuits will come within the coming year: With conservative Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch now on the bench, past cases wont dictate what we can expect from current ones.

The New York Times: Supreme Court to Consider Limits on Contraception Coverage

On that note, March for Life swept into the nations capital Friday, but many advocates on both sides of the culture war have their sights trained a little further in the distance namely, at Supreme Court oral arguments a little more than a month away. The case over a Louisiana law requiring hospital admitting privileges for abortion providers will be the first big abortion case in front of the newly conservative court.

The Associated Press: Supreme Court Case Looms Large for Rivals in Abortion Debate

If all goes as scheduled, President Donald Trump will become the first sitting president to speak in person at the March for Life event. Trump, who in the past called himself very pro-choice, has found a fierce political ally in the anti-abortion movement in fact, the announcement that he would speak at the event came just a few days after the Susan B. Anthony List said it would spend $52 million to help the presidents reelection.

The Washington Post: Trump to Become the First President to Speak in Person at March for Life

In other news, Trump restored womens health funding in Texas, rolling back an Obama-era punishment for the state for excluding abortion providers from its program. The decision could give other conservative states the green light to cut off family planning funding for groups like Planned Parenthood.

Texas Tribune: Donald Trump Restores Womens Health Funding in Texas Stripped by Obama

Trump handed Democrats a gift this week when he mused that the idea of cutting entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare were on the table as a way to rein in the deficit. Dems sprang into action as might be expected voters have a history of being, uh, less than receptive to that idea by highlighting Trumps previous campaign promises to protect such safety-net programs. Trump then walked back the statement, tweeting: I have totally left [Social Security] alone, as promised, and will save it!

The New York Times: Trump Tries to Walk Back Entitlement Comments As Democrats Pounce

CNBC: Davos 2020: CNBCs Full Interview With President Trump

CMS is apparently full steam ahead in crafting guidance that would help states transform their Medicaid programs into a block-grant model. Although some say the rules could come as early as this month, theres still some disagreement over the scope of the plan. The terminology might even get a rebranding away from block grant, as the phrase has quite a bit of partisan baggage.

The Wall Street Journal: Trump Administration to Soon Issue Guidance on Medicaid Block Grants

Politico: Trump Administration Finalizing Medicaid Block Grant Plan Targeting Obamacare

Insurers are getting in on the hot new trend for curbing high drug prices manufacturing your own generics. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and 18 of its health plans are teaming up with Civica Rx to make up to 10 yet-to-be-determined high-cost generics in an effort to increase competition and address shortages. The move comes not long after California Gov. Gavin Newsom floated a similar proposal for his state.

Stat: Civica Rx Teams With Blue Cross Blue Shield to Widen Market for Generics

HHS Secretary Alex Azar apparently had to bear the brunt of Trumps anger after the president got polling data showing Democrats are more trusted than Republicans on such health care topics as controlling high drug prices.

Politico: Trump Berates Azar Over Bad Health Care Polling

In the miscellaneous file for the week:

Workers who struggle with depression or other mental health issues cant get fired because of existing federal protections. But churches are exempt. Pastors routinely lose their positions after church officials learn of their diagnoses.

The Wall Street Journal: Its Like I Got Kicked Out of My Family. Churches Struggle With Mental Health in the Ranks.

After a Native American girls disappearance, state and federal law enforcement quickly mobilized a search instead of letting the case go cold. This shouldnt be notable, and yet it is.

The New York Times: Rural Montana Had Already Lost Too Many Native Women. Then Selena Disappeared.

Should congressional candidates be able to use campaign funds to pay for health care? One progressive Georgia Democrat says that not allowing candidates to do so creates structural barriers that make running for office cost-prohibitive for middle-class Americans.

The Hill: House Candidate Asks FEC to Let Her Use Campaign Funds for Health Insurance

A new wave of state-level laws have been introduced to penalize medical providers who give certain types of care to young transgender patients. The speed and sheer number of bills introduced in recent weeks have prompted transgender advocates to mobilize in response.

The Washington Post: Republican State Lawmakers Push Bills to Restrict Medical Treatments for Transgender Youths

Thats it from me! Have a great weekend.

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Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes - Kaiser Health News

I HOPE Braintree Council, Abbeyfields and the various bodies and organisations involved in construction work on Polys Hill in Bocking realise there are no road signs or markings to warn motorists that there is a concealed entrance or even a warning sign that the site is under construction.

If at any time during construction of the site - and even when it is completed - someone is exiting on to Polys Hill and a fast-approaching vehicle is coming down the hill, the chances are that as there is a blind corner and a concealed entrance, there will be a very nasty accident and the vehicle exiting will be pushed right down the hill past the mini roundabout in Church Lane.

And look at the state of that lovely hedge, an absolute mess, and talking of mess. There is still evidence of mud and remains of the hedge cuttings on the road.

The site management must surely be held fully responsible for this, just imagine when its wet with that mud on the road, how far would a vehicle skid?

What we all could have done with on that site in Bocking was a decent shopping centre with all of the essential things that most of us need, this would then perhaps encourage a bus company to put a regular bus service along Church Lane, something the elderly population must have.

Also take a look at the amount of asphalt used, it gives the impression of a aircraft runway.

Kenneth Pallant Church Lane, Bocking

Originally posted here:
LETTER: Work site needs better signage to avoid accident - Braintree and Witham Times

St Lukes Church at Tixover has reopened for services following refurbishment.

Restoration of the roof, windows, stone and plaster was funded by a 97,000 grant from landfill operator Mick George Ltd, through its community fund, and carried out by Messenger Construction of Collyweston.

The early 12th Century church is one of the oldest in Rutland. Standing alone in fields, it has no electricity and is lit by candles, attracting many visitors to its monthly services.

Churchwarden David Gandy said: I have been in the construction business for over 60 years and was most impressed by Messengers performance.

They started and completed the works to the agreed schedule, provided skilled crafts-men such as are required for such work, and were a pleasure to do business with.

An official re-opening will coincide with the Candlemas service on Sunday, February 2.

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Candlelit church restored o glory with landfill money - Stamford Mercury

Anyone driving along the A38 between Exeter to Plymouth will have noticed many memorable sights.

Theres the Orange Elephant at Kennford, a life-size replica of aStar WarsImperial scout walker at Ashburton, and the famous Trago Towers near Newton Abbot.

But as you travel between Buckfastleigh and South Brent, off to the left hand side of the road, sits a much quainter landmark - a lonely and isolated church. Where once remote, the church is now, literally, a stones throw from the A38.

The Church of St George the Martyr in the village of Dean Prior, which dates back nearly a thousand years, lies alone, with only a handful of homes for company.

But it wasnt always like the case and prior to the construction of the Devon Expressway, it was part of one of Devons lost villages, bulldozed to make way for the new road.

The village surrounding the church once included a school and cottages, but many of these were pulled down in the 1970s to build the new road, and as a result the church only has a few neighbouring houses, while much of the parish is the other side of the A38 Devon Expressway.

There has been a church on site in Dean Prior for almost a thousand years, with a first church being of Norman origin. St George the MartyrDean Priorwas first recorded by the Bishop in 1186 as part of the possession of the Priory of Plympton, and the first known priest, Gervase of Crediton, was ordained in 1261.

Of his church, however, only the West Tower and font remain. The present building was largely rebuilt in 15 Century on the site of the earlier Norman Church, while the great yew tree in the churchyard was planted in 1780.

The main village of Dean is divided into Lower and Higher Dean with a separate hamlet of Deancombe and has a population of 160 inhabitants.

However, the parish was inevitably affected when it was cut in two by the construction of a dual carriageway.

The village surrounding the church, once included a school, and many cottages, were all demolished when the new road was built.Around the church, now lying directly to the left of the main road, had been Church Town.

Its cottages, church house and school and across the valley and now on the other side of the A38, lie Upper Dean nd Deancombe, with Lower Dean on the other side of the A38, the road that has literally spilt the village in half.

The rest of the village was dismantled for the Devon Expressway and today all that remains of these lost houses are sparse records and recollections.

According to the 2011 census, there are now just 94 males and 107 females living in the whole of parish, a total population of 201 people.

And for much of the 17 Century, one of the most accomplished nondramatic poets of his age was the churchs vicar.

Robert Herrick, the poet best known for Hesperides , a book of poems, which includes the carpe diem poem "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time", with the first line "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may", was the vicar at The Church of St George the Martyr from 1629-1674.

In 1623 Herrick took holy orders, and in 1627, he became one of the several chaplains who accompanied George Villiers, first Duke of Buckingham, in a crusade to liberate French Protestants on the Isle of Rh.

But a disastrous combination of illness among the troops, effective military action by the French, and a storm at sea while Buckinghams ships were retreating to England resulted in the loss of two-thirds of the expedition.

In 1629, Herrick exchanged a life of danger for one of apparent safety by accepting a nomination to the vicarage of Dean Prior.

He was installed as vicar on October 29, 1630 and served as vicar of Dean Prior for 31 years in total, although that period was interrupted during the Civil War.

Herrick was every inch the Royalist and was ejected from his vicarage for refusing theSolemn League and Covenant, so returned to London, depended on the charity of his friends and family and then spent some time preparing his lyric poems for publication, before having them printed in 1648 under the title Hesperides; or the Works both Human and Divine of Robert Herrick , with a dedication to the Prince of Wales.

When King Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660, Herrick petitioned for his own restoration to his living. He had obtained favour by writing verses celebrating the births of both Charles II and his brother James before the Civil War.

Herrick once again became the vicar of Dean Prior again in the summer of 1662 and lived there until his death in October 1674, at the age of 83.

Today,Herrick is allegedly buried in the churchs graveyard within an unmarked grave

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The 'lost village' bulldozed to make way for the A38 - Plymouth Live

In the universe of the film "National Treasure," Trinity Church's imposing dark brick and skyward spire hide secrets and treasure.

In Disney's 2004 movie, Nicholas Cage plays a historian and treasure hunter who uses a map on the back of the Declaration of Independence to track down an assortment of gold, jewels, and artifacts buried in the catacombs of Trinity Church. The treasure was, according to the film's plot, hidden there by the Free Masons a real secret society whose membership boasted revolutionaries like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton.

The true story of Trinity Church, which is located in the heart of Manhattan's financial district, involves a lot less gold and lot more history, according to church archivist Joseph Lapinski.

Fifteen years after "National Treasure" hit theaters the movie came out in November 2014 queries about the church's connection to the Free Masons' treasure have finally died down, Lapinski told Business Insider. (Nearly everything depicted in the movie pertaining to Trinity Church is untrue, he said.)

"Oddly enough, I don't get too many questions about 'National Treasure' to have a queued up list anymore," Lapinski said. He has worked at Trinity since 2013.

These days, visitors are more interested in the church's role in the American Revolution, since Alexander Hamilton and his wife Eliza (made newly famous by the musical "Hamilton") owned a pew, worshipped there, and were buried in the adjacent cemetery.

Here's what "National Treasure" got wrong about Trinity Church and the real secrets the building holds, according to Lapinski.

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What Trinity Church in New York is like, not as in 'National Treasure' - Business Insider

When you become a Whats Up Newp Supporter, you support our mission of providing local and independent community news, information, and journalism to Newport County and beyond.

RIHousing and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) announced on December 23rd the award of funds to develop highly energy efficient housing for low-and moderate-income Rhode Islanders.

The pilot program, Zero Energy for the Ocean State (ZEOS), is the result of a public-private partnership between RIHousing, OER and National Grid to explore innovative, replicable solutions to utilize cost saving, clean energy technologies in homes.

Locally, Church Community Housing Corporation (CCHC) has received a grant to construct eight, single-family homes in Jamestown and Aquidneck Island. Seven of the homes will be new construction and one includes the rehabilitation of an existing building. CCHC will also develop a building manual that will be easily replicable by small homebuilders, according to a press release from RI Housing.

RIHousing is committed to developing housing that Rhode Islanders can afford, said Carol Ventura, Executive Director at RIHousing in a press release. Energy efficient features in these homes will result in reduced occupancy costs for residents, thereby increasing their disposable income to meet other needs in their lives.

RIHousing and OER have committed a total of $675,000 in funding to three developers who will produce a range of building types in rural, suburban and urban parts of the state.

All three recipients of ZEOS Demonstration funds will develop stock plans to ensure replicability of their zero energy designs. The projects are:

Expanding access to cost-effective energy efficiency measures is vital to Rhode Islands clean energy future, said State Energy Commissioner Carol Grant in the press release. The state has made great strides to expand our energy efficiency programs to more people. The ZEOS program is one more way we are working to support renewable and green energy efforts.

Developers will design and construct affordable, Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs). ZEBs are defined as any energy-efficient building with zero net energy consumption, meaning the total amount of energy used by a building on an annual basis is roughly equal to the amount of renewable energy created on the site.

In addition to meeting ZEB standards, developers must also participate in National Grids Residential New Construction Program (www.ngrid.com/save) and will work closely with program partners throughout the design, construction, and data collection phases.

Were excited with the level of innovation and commitment to energy efficient projects in the funding applications received, said Chris Porter, Director of Customer Energy Management at National Grid in the press release. Applicants will deploy a range of methods, including new and emerging technologies, thoughtful design, and sustainable building materials to meet program goals while creating a pathway for scaling ZEBs in low- and moderate-income residential sectors as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Funding awards were announced at the December meeting of the RIHousing Board of Commissioners. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was released in July 2019 with initial funding of $250,000 available. In response to the strength of applications, the RIHousing Board of Commissioners approved an additional $375,000 to fully support the three projects.

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Church Community Housing Corp receives grant to develop Zero Net Energy housing for low-and moderate-income residents in Newport County - What'sUpNewp

A construction worker was killed Saturday morning while setting up for First Night Boston in Copley Square, according to Boston Police and a First Night Boston spokesman.

Police responded to reports of a traumatic injury on Saturday morning at 9:47 in the area of 560 Boylston St.

Something had fallen and hit the worker. The identity of the man, who was in his late 20s, has not been released.

Boston EMS transported the patient to the hospital but he was pronounced dead on the way, according to police.

The man was an employee of a company, United Staging & Rigging, assisting First Night with setup for the annual event, according to a First Night Boston spokesman.

Jon Sharpe of United Staging & Rigging issued a statement on the incident.

We are devastated by todays tragic accident that occurred while constructing a lighting tower for the First Night stage in Copley Square. One of our employees was killed this morning when a 3,500-pound ballast dislodged from a forklift and landed on his chest.

Although emergency responders arrived quickly, he was pronounced dead onsite.

The health and safety of our employees is our number one priority and we are working with the Boston Police and OSHA to determine how this could have happened. We will respond to the findings when the investigations are complete. Tonight, our focus and prayers are with our employee, his family and co-workers.

Boston Police, the Occupational Safety and Health Association and the office of Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins are investigating the death. OSHA did not immediately respond to request for comment.

This morning there was a fatal accident in Copley Square at setup for First Night Boston involving a construction worker, read a statement from First Night Boston. We are deeply saddened by the occurrence and are sending our prayers to the family of the worker.

First Night Boston is a New Years Eve arts festival that begins in Copley Square at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday and continues all day and night until the last musical performance ends at 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2020.

The event features ice sculptures, musical performances, fireworks and childrens activities. The public celebration is free and open to all, and has been running since 1975.

The event has several local sponsors including Boston Properties, Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 12 Boston and The Boston Foundation.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of the victim in Copley Square this afternoon, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh said in a statement issued by his office.

See original here:
Construction worker dies during First Night setup in Copley Square - Boston Herald

captionThe stained glass wall inside Trinity Church in New York City.sourceCourtesy of Tiani Jones/Trinity Church

In the universe of the film National Treasure, Trinity Churchs imposing dark brick and skyward spire hide secrets and treasure.

In Disneys 2004 movie, Nicholas Cage plays a historian and treasure hunter who uses a map on the back of the Declaration of Independence to track down an assortment of gold, jewels, and artifacts buried in the catacombs of Trinity Church. The treasure was, according to the films plot, hidden there by the Free Masons a real secret society whose membership boasted revolutionaries like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton.

The true story of Trinity Church, which is located in the heart of Manhattans financial district, involves a lot less gold and lot more history, according to church archivist Joseph Lapinski.

Fifteen years after National Treasure hit theaters the movie came out in November 2014 queries about the churchs connection to the Free Masons treasure have finally died down, Lapinski told Business Insider. (Nearly everything depicted in the movie pertaining to Trinity Church is untrue, he said.)

Oddly enough, I dont get too many questions about National Treasure to have a queued up list anymore, Lapinski said. He has worked at Trinity since 2013.

These days, visitors are more interested in the churchs role in the American Revolution, since Alexander Hamilton and his wife Eliza (made newly famous by the musical Hamilton) owned a pew, worshipped there, and were buried in the adjacent cemetery.

Heres what National Treasure got wrong about Trinity Church and the real secrets the building holds, according to Lapinski.

The main thing I usually stress is that theres no crypts underneath Trinity Church, Lapinski said. There are some burials under the altar, but theyre not formal crypts in the way the movie portrays.

The cemetery on the north side was created before the churchs construction in 1697. It started as a Dutch burial ground.

The Ludlows, the Bleeckers, the Livingstons all the people whose names are on New York street signs were people who attended Trinity Church, he added.

Many of the people buried there were Free Masons.

The organization eventually took on a more clandestine air as its members assumed influential roles in business and society. Of the 39 people who signed the US Constitution, 13 were Free Masons. However, while the group played a key role in forming the United States, its members did not actually transport any secret treasure.

Today, the all-male order is the worlds largest secret society, with at least 2 million members.

One such headstone marks the grave of a man named James Leeson, and it has a cryptogram that, when deciphered, reads Remember Death a common warning used on 18th-century headstones, Lapinski said.

Beneath the cryptogram are engraved Masonic symbols, including an hourglass, a compass, and a flame rising from an open vessel.

Beyond this indication that Leeson was a Mason, no further record of him can be found, according to Lapinski.

Rather, many powerful male professionals in New York during the 1700s were also part of the Free Masons, and when they were buried at Trinity Church, their headstones included Masonic symbols.

Prominent New Yorkers like Robert Fulton, who invented the steamboat, and Albert Gallatin, who founded New York University, are also buried there.

During the Revolutionary War, the churchs rector even wrote a loyalist response to patriot Thomas Paines pamphlet, Common Sense, which advocated for the colonies freedom.

But according to Lapinski, not all parishioners were loyalists.

Hamilton and fellow patriot John Jay both owned pews at Trinity Church.

There was an interesting dynamic of tension, Lapinski said.

After the American Revolution ended, the churchs new rector, Samuel Provoost, deleted the line in Trinity Churchs charter that stipulated clergy members had to be loyal to the British crown.

On the night of September 20, 1776, a devastating fire destroyed an estimated 10% to 25% of the buildings in Manhattan. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

The third version of the church was built in 1846 and remains standing to this day.

Captain William Kidd, a Scottish sailor executed for piracy in 1701, lent parts of his ship for use during Trinity Churchs construction.

According to Lapinski, there are two references to Kidd in the church archives. Hes mentioned in a short line: Captain Kidd helped with construction of first church by loaning buildings his runner and tackle to pull up stones.

The pirates name is also written on the list of church pews. Kidd shared ownership of the first-row pew with Trinity Churchs rector.

To me, the treasures arent gold and silver and jewels its the documents that get to share the story of where Trinity came from, Lapinski said.

It was signed by King William III in 1697.

These are great resources that tell us who was here and when, Lapinski said.

Archives reflect how we administered services to a growing and changing city, he added.

In the late 1800s, the part of Manhattan near Trinity Church was known as printers row or newspaper row, since it was home to the big-name publications of the day (including The New York Times).

According to Lapinksi, the church accommodated the schedules of people working in these printing presses by hosting 2 a.m. services.

Trinity Churchs central location and immutability has attracted many historians particularly those researching Alexander Hamilton, Lapinski said.

But the interior of Trinity Church is currently closed for construction work.

Trinitys nave, with its 66-foot vaulted ceilings, has been closed to the public for 19 months. According to Tiani Jones, the churchs media relations manager, the nave should reopen in February or March.

The Trinity Church Cemetery therefore includes three separate burial grounds at St. Pauls, 155th street, and the original church. Between those sites, the church owns the last active cemeteries left in Manhattan.

John James Audubon, one of the most prominent ornithologists in history, is buried at the Trinity Church Mausoleum and Cemetery on 155th Street.

St. Pauls Chapel, meanwhile, is famous in part because George Washington went there for services on the day of his inauguration in 1789.

Its assets are estimated at around $2 billion. So the church does, in a sense, hold ample treasure.

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15 years after National Treasure came out, heres the real story of the Manhattan church that the movie suggests hides buried loot - Business Insider

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authoritys (MARTA) development partners for the King Memorial Station transit-oriented development (TOD), Place Properties and H.J. Russell Company, have closed on financing to begin construction.

With $6 million in grant funding from Invest Atlanta, the $62.5 million project is a collaboration that will create 100 affordable housing units of 300 total units and complement development efforts occurring along Memorial Drive and the surrounding historic community.

The King Memorial Station development will offer affordable housing alongside the public transit-focused lifestyle TOD seeks to facilitate, said Jeffrey Parker, MARTA general manager and CEO. We are excited about the partnership with Place-Russell and Invest Atlanta. With one-third of the units being affordable, we have been deliberate about supporting the mayors affordable housing goals.

Located on approximately 4.4 acres of underutilized parking space on the south side of the station, the King Memorial TOD, which seeks to increase riders at a station with the second lowest ridership system-wide, is a part of MARTAs broader TOD initiative. The development plan also includes ground floor retail and an arts project for the Grant Street Tunnel.

Were going into the new year with the prospect of bringing 100 affordable housing units and 10,000-square feet of retail space to the King Memorial Station. Thats exciting, said H. Jerome Russell, president of H.J. Russell & Company.

Cecil Phillips, Place Properties CEO, added, This is a transformational development for MARTA and this part of the city. It is indeed a project that we can all be excited about.

The site is conveniently located between the neighborhoods of Old Fourth Ward, Grant Park, downtown and Cabbagetown. The station, just two stops from downtown Atlanta, is in the historic Grant Park neighborhood and due west of Oakland Cemetery. The station serves the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and Ebenezer Baptist Church. It is approximately three blocks south of the Atlanta Streetcar.

Adding affordable housing along Atlantas transit lines is a key part of economic mobility by providing easier access to employment centers and reducing transportation costs for more city residents, said Eloisa Klementich, Ph.D., president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. On average, 63 percent of a familys income is spent on housing and transportation. Making an impact on this through transit-oriented development like at King Memorial station helps to drive investment while decreasing a familys spending, allowing them to focus on other family needs.

This marks the second multifamily development project financed this year on MARTA land with set aside for affordable housing. The Link development at Edgewood-Candler Park station was the first.

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MARTA and partners move forward on King Memorial Station TOD construction - MassTransitMag.com