Ground was broken for what is billed as one of the largest public buildings in the San Fernando Valley, at a large church in Porter Ranch.
The 58,600-square-foot multi-use building will be under construction on the grounds of Shepherd Church, at the corner of Corbin Avenue at Rinaldi Street in Porter Ranch. It overlooks the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway and the entire San Fernando Valley.
The non-denominational church’s new addition will seat 3,500 people and include a cafe, a stage for live music, a bookstore, an electric car parking lot, an outdoor veranda, and a tower with 360-degree views. It is CALgreen compliant and one of the largest buildings of its kind in the San Fernando Valley.
The new edifice is the Church’s first step in offering more services to the community, and its senior pastor voiced hope it will become a community hotspot of sorts.
“This is a big step for us, a necessary step for us, to serve our valley and the city of Los Angeles,” said Senior Pastor Dudley Rutherford. “Everyone is welcome. Our doors are open.”
A groundbreaking ceremony was to be attended by District Attorney Jackie Lacey, Councilman Mitchell Englander, Assemblyman Scott Wilk, and representatives from the Los Angeles fire and police departments.
— City News Service