​​​​​​​​​Major Projects​​

Major Projects between $30,000 and $50,000 (30/50)​​

Under archdiocesan policy, a major project at a location is any construction, repair, renovation, landscaping, or engineering project that exceeds $30,000.  The cost of a project may not be broken into smaller amounts to circumvent the $30,000 or greater limits.  A subcategory of major projects is a project that exceeds $30,000 up to and including $50,000 ("30/50 projects"). Signing authority, approvals and contracts are slightly different for 30/50 projects than for other major projects. 30/50 projects for parishes, parish elementary schools and parish high schools​ must be submitted for review and written approval of the Regional Auxiliary Bishop.

30/50 construction project contracts may only be prepared, reviewed and signed at the archdiocesan level. 30/50 project contracts may be prepared by a location but must be issued using the Archdiocese of Los Angeles small construction contract.  

Any project or improvement involving asbestos or mold remediation, lead-based paint, structural change to existing buildings, conditional use permits, and modifications to conditional use permits, even if it is $30,000 or less, must be reviewed and approved by the archdiocesan Constr​uction Depa​rtment​ before proceeding with any work.

30/50 capital improvements should be planned during the location's projected budget process and scheduled to occur within the budgeted fiscal year. If the project involves a school, construction should be scheduled when school is not in session. Expenses for 30/50 capital improvements are prorated between the parish and school according to use. See Capital Improvements Policies &​ ​Procedures: 2021​.​

 After approval is obtained, the location may prepare the contract and the pastor may execute the contract in the name of the parish or the school. The contract for small construction projects must​​ be used for all 30/50 projects. Executed copies of all 30/50 contracts must be provided to the Construction Department and the office of the applicable Regional Auxiliary Bishop.  Scanned copies in PDF format and sent by email are acceptable.​​

30/50 projects at elementary schools and high schools run by the Department of Catholic Schools require, in addition to approval of the Construction Department, the review and written approval of the Superintendent or Deputy Superintendent of elementary and high schools.  A copy must be sent to the Construction Department. The contract for small construction projects​ will be signed by the authorized signatory of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Education & Welfare Corporation.

Approvals Required For Major Projects Over $50,000

Major projects require the following approvals:

• Regional Auxiliary Bishop (except for archdiocesan high schools). The pastor, in a letter to the regional auxiliary bishop, must describe the proposed work to be done as well as the reason and need for the work, the projected cost of the work, and the proposed funding for the project. If the bishop approves the proposal, he must prepare a written response (either by writing a separate letter or signing the original request letter) with any comments and send it to the pastor with a copy to the moderator of the curia, chief financial officer, Construction Dep​artment​, and if appropriate, to the director of the office for divine worship and the superintendent of Catholic schools.  Cemetery and mortuary construction projects shall follow the process established by the Construction Department  in collaboration with the Cemeteries and Mortuaries Department.

• Office of Financial Services. Before permission is granted for a major project, approval of the funding arrangements must be obtained from the Chief Financial Officer or CFO's designee.

• Department of Catholic Schools​ (for school projects). If the work involves a major project to any elementary or high school, approval from the superintendent of the Department of Catholic Schools is required.

• Office for Divine Worship​ (for liturgical projects). If the work is in a place of worship, the pastor or the person in charge of cemetery and mortuary operations shall obtain a written review of the proposed work from the Office for Divine Worship. The review process may include a formal meeting and review with the Liturgical Design Review Committee. The role of the Office for​ Divine Worship is to promote adherence to the Church's liturgical norms and documents, specifically the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. The Office for Divine Worship coordinates with the pastor, regional bishop, cemeteries and mortuaries operations director, and Liturgical Design Review Committee before the proposal is submitted to the archdiocesan Building Commission and the archbishop for approval.

• ​The pastor must follow the Office for Divine Worship's Guidelines for initiating a renovation or new building for a worship space at the Parish. The Office for Divine Worship will offer guidance and resources as well as review and recommendations to the archdiocesan Building Commission of all liturgical design elements relative to the building of any worship space, church, or chapel, as well as the significant renovation of any existing worship space before any commitment to the work is made. 

• "Significant" means work that affects the church structure or ov​erall worship​ space​​. Examples of such work are those that affect the sanctuary space; assembly seating arrangement; placement, location, and design of the chapel for eucharistic reservation, chapel for reconciliation, or music area; and changes to, relocation of, or purchases of liturgical furnishings such as the altar, tabernacle, ambo, presider's chair, or baptismal font. The pastor should also consult the archdiocesan Office for Divine Worship for liturgical projects of a lesser degree before any commitment to the work is made. 

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• It is strongly recommended that projects of a lesser degree, namely projects primarily of refurbishing that affect the overall worship environment, should involve the Office for Worship. Examples of lesser projects include changing materials, colors, and finishes that affect the aesthetics of the liturgical space; painting or carpeting all or part of the worship space; purchasing or designing liturgical vessels and liturgical objects, as well as objects of devotion; purchasing or enhancing an organ, a sound system, or lighting; changing windows; and changing liturgical or devotional art.​ When commissioning original works of art (e.g., statues, paintings, or tapestries), specific terms and conditions need to be negotiated with the artist. The Artwork Agreement​ (.pdf version) addresses the pertinent terms and should be used. Consult the Office of the Legal Counsel if the Artwork Agreement ​(Word version) ​needs to be modified to suit the location's purpose.​
  
  ​​Note:  Any project dealing with basic maintenance need not involve the archdiocesan Office for Divine Worship.​

• ​Archdiocesan Building Commission. If the work requested is estimated to cost one million dollars or more, or if the regional bishop or Constructio​n Department so wishes, then the proposed project shall be submitted to the archdiocesan Building Commission for review and approval. The function of the Building Commission is to guide the person in charge and building committees in the process of construction, from conception to completion. The Building Commission also evaluates architectural designs, construction documents, project budgets, costs, schedules, and contracting methodology. Following consultation and discussion with those who have submitted the project, the Building Commission presents recommendations and approvals. At the discretion of the chair, the Building Commission may present recommendations regarding project feasibility to the archbishop for his consideration.
  The Building Commission exists solely to ensure that the best possible methods and practices for design and construction are observed in the realization of archdiocesan building projects.​