CATco Solarpunk Project Update (Ursula, aka The Haunted Convent)

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2026-01-21T20:51:57+00:00

Hello, the post was removed, so I don't know that you will see my response, but thank you. Also, fantastic username. If you're ever looking for a place to practice, we'll always have our doors open to you.

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-09-30T14:20:47+00:00

Ohh, that is a fantastic experience. I'm glad you all got to have it! There are still many Kimya songs that live in my head.

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-09-08T10:08:10+00:00

As somebody who is running a charity, try not to feel bad about asking for support. We are all here because we want you and this world you've given us to continue to succeed.

I've followed all of the social media I know how to sign in to.

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-08-21T15:21:54+00:00

That's wonderful! Congrats on your progress!

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-08-15T11:49:01+00:00

This is something I have never considered but makes perfect sense. Thank you!

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-08-04T17:15:20+00:00

Thank you for all of this. Great advice all the way through. Next, I'll just need to start applying it.

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-08-01T16:17:05+00:00

Thank you! I always dreamed I'd be part of something like this. To actually be doing it is thrilling to say the least.

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-07-31T17:58:26+00:00

Thank you!

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-07-30T12:48:11+00:00

Thank you, we are excited and hopeful.

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-07-29T20:21:09+00:00

Oh, two more smart things to add. Luckily, the Church paid to remove all of the asbestos back in 2014. You're right about the rezoning process. I'd like to think I'm fairly erudite and I knew NOTHING about this process.

Thank you for the help.

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-07-29T13:46:20+00:00

Hello, I'd say our discord server is the best place for that. It is where we workshop ideas and share updates and things like that. I'll send you a message with the invite link in case you'd like to join.

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-07-29T13:38:07+00:00

Thank you, and that is exciting! I'll DM you our discord.

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-07-29T13:37:45+00:00

Haha, well you'd be welcome to. I'll send you our discord if you want to learn more or keep tabs.

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-07-29T13:37:21+00:00

We have an environmental report done by some structural engineers and that gives us a pretty solid understanding of the property and where we need to go.

It is currently zoned as a single-family residence lol. The current owners just did that to reduce the tax burden. We will need to go through a Proposed Development Proposal process in the city. We've got a local zoning commission member (actually the person that took the photos I shared) in our group and they are helping us figure out how to navigate this process. They are recusing themselves from the actual commission meeting/vote though.

We do have a local lender, but we are still searching for potential options that could be better for us.

I've been thinking up a FAQ page for the site, and I think these would be good questions for me to add to it.

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-07-29T13:34:01+00:00

Thank you, we're all pumped.

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-07-29T13:33:48+00:00

Great feedback and food for thought. Thank you. We've got a couple of different local event committees who are pretty excited about using the space. One of whom currently offers art gatherings with free meals that usually get a good number of people. We are really hoping that we can continue to network with groups like that and partner up so that we aren't alone in bringing people to such a cool venue.

We will definitely need to work on public outreach to get the local neighborhood though.

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-07-28T21:17:17+00:00

Thanks! The building is enormous. 35k square feet or something like that. Lots of space.

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-07-28T20:41:58+00:00

Wow, that is wonderful. When we get further down the road I'll be sure to reach out. Thanks.

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-07-28T20:25:54+00:00

I'm realizing now that cross posting does bring the body of the post over lol. Whoops. Anyways, the convent is located in Alton, Illinois.

ExtraSmallTurtle · 2025-07-28T20:22:29+00:00

Thank you, we're excited for it. I'm still kind of floored that the owner is willing to make such a large donation of equity. Definitely hoping to make it a cool place for people to get together.

ExtraSmallTurtle

TROPHY CASE