Rendering of proposed renovation of Credit Union House at 403 C Street on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. 401 C Street adjoins on the right. (Credit/Credit Union House)
A mix of credit unions, trade groups and vendors are leading a campaign to renovate a pair of townhouses on Capitol Hill that have been used as meeting spaces for the movement since 2001.
On Tuesday, America’s Credit Unions announced it was donating $2 million toward the effort, bringing total donations to $5 million.
The Credit Union House website stated separately that 44% of the renovation goal has been raised, but it was not clear whether that included the AmCU donation. No proposed timetable for the project was stated.
Credit union contributors included BECU of Tukwila, Wash., near Seattle ($29.4 billion in assets, 1.5 million members) and Redwood Credit Union of Santa Rosa, Calif. ($9.1 billion in assets, 384,778 members). Vendor contributors included TruStage, Velera and Origence.
The three-story townhouse at 403 C Street NE would be renovated to convert the existing porch into an interior space serving as a greeting area. Each floor covers about 680 square feet. The project also includes turning the adjoining two-story townhouse at 401 C Street into an intimate bar and meeting space called The Speakeasy.
The site was bought and developed in 2001 by individual credit union leagues and the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL).Ongoing operations are funded by sustained annual giving by credit unions, leagues and system groups.
AmCU’s gift and the renovation plans were presented Tuesday to the approximately 6,000 people attending AmCU’s Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C.
Patrick Pierce, AmCU chair and president/CEO of City & County Credit Union of Saint Paul, Minn. ($1.2 billion in assets, 62,227 members), said it was time for an upgrade at Credit Union House.
“For more than two decades, Credit Union House has welcomed credit union advocates from across the country to Washington, embracing the hospitality and relationship-building spirit that the industry exemplifies,” Pierce said. “I am proud of all that has been accomplished since its opening in 2001, showcasing the credit union difference to influential policymakers, but it is time to move our gathering place into the future and appropriately reflect where our movement is headed.”
The Credit Union House renovation website said the renovation would expand its meeting space.
“As more advocates gather in D.C. to engage with policymakers, the demand for a space that accommodates larger groups and hybrid events has never been greater. By upgrading infrastructure, expanding meeting capabilities and incorporating state-of-the-art technology, this project ensures that Credit Union House remains at the forefront of advocacy,” the website said.
The Credit Union House website listed 34 owners, including its five largest owners:
- California Credit Union League;
- Cornerstone Credit Union League of Texas;
- CrossState Credit Union Association of Pennsylvania and New Jersey;
- GoWest Credit Union Association of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming; and
- The League of Credit Unions.
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