The first phase is expected to cost $2 million, says Tim Wilkin of the church. "We have had fund raising but don't have estimates yet," Wilkins tells GlobeSt.com about the cost of the entire project.

The buildings at 5249 and 5251 N. Ashland Ave. house church offices and youth nursery. Other buildings on the church's 25,250-sf site include residential buildings in disrepair, according to Michelle Dewlen of the department of planning and development. The only additions to the current buildings have been limited to a recreation room in 1948 and education building in 1958. "The church assembled this block of contiguous lots in anticipation of this proposed improvement and expansion," Dewlen says.

The second phase includes renovation of the church's sanctuary at Berwyn and Ashland avenues. The recreation and education buildings at 5245 and 5247 N. Ashland Ave. will be expanded in the third phase of the church's program. Buildings at 5241 and 5243 N. Ashland Ave. will be replaced with an outreach center. Finally, 5237 and 5239 N. Ashland Ave. will be replaced with a new recreational center.