Trinity Lutheran Church is interested in leasing a former church sanctuary that Douglas County uses as storage space.

The church, 1245 N.H., in conjunction with Lutheran Campus Ministry of Kansas University, will prepare a study to determine the feasibility of repairing the old sanctuary at 13th and Massachusetts streets – and then using it for the campus ministry, services and outreach programs.

The Rev. Gary Teske of Trinity and the Rev. Shawn Norris of the campus ministry met Monday with county commissioners to explain their interest.

“We’re looking at expanding services to the community around here,” Teske said.

Commissioners were receptive. In fact, Commissioner Charles Jones called it a “great opportunity.”

The former sanctuary is in what was once an Assembly of God Church. To be open to the public, it must become accessible to people who use wheelchairs. There is some structural damage from past wind storms. In return for making the improvements, the church would ask to lease that part of the building for $10 a year for 10 to 20 years.

Other areas of the former church are used as offices for Douglas County Public Works Department. Those offices would not be affected by Trinity’s operation. But commissioners this year have discussed consolidating public works offices with its operations division at a site still to be determined.

Jeff Needham, a Trinity church member and structural engineer, said it would take hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair and renovate the sanctuary. If an agreement is reached, the church would pick up that cost.

“This was built as a church, and it’s still a good church,” Needham said.

Needham said it would take about six months to complete a renovation study and make a formal lease proposal to the county. Trinity and the campus ministry also would like to be given the opportunity to purchase the building if the county were to sell it, Teske said.

Jones and Commissioners Bob Johnson and Jere McElhaney said they would be open to a church proposal if it fits the county’s long-term needs. Johnson said he would be reluctant to completely give up the property.

“There’s a dilemma – how do we hold ownership so that it will serve long-term needs to (the church) but ultimately be available for us should we still need that,” Johnson said.

Commissioners also directed public works director Keith Browning to come up with a relocation proposal for his department.

This year, commissioners and Browning talked about building a public works department on grounds at the Douglas County Jail. Browning said Monday that only 5 acres would be available at that site. Based on information he had about a new public works site in Riley County, about 40 acres might be needed to leave room for future expansion. Commissioners and Browning said they thought a more centralized site in the county might be advantageous.

“Now is the time to put a pin the map,” Johnson said.