Chapel being built by a developer?

[Dana431]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?articleID=070404_5_E1_hEigh66461

There is a paragraph in this article that caught my attention:

"This is the second Tulsa area project for Velocity, which has four more in development for 2008, including a retail center similar to Woodland Hills Centre; an 18,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and office; a 18,000-square-foot retail-service center; and a 10,000 square-foot chapel."

Are developers now building chapels to lease to spiritual organizations?

It would allow the organization to have a roof over their heads while they raise funds for a permanent facility.  Or, I might be reading way between the lines on this one.  Anybody know why a developer would build a chapel?

I was unable to find Velocity development's website

[TheArtist]

They usually start a development when they have already lined up most or a few of the tennants. That way you have an idea of what you are going to build, say a restaurant space with kitchen and all the necessary plumbing etc, how large each space should be, and to have an idea of whether your development will be a success. You dont want to spend a bunch of money then not have anyone show up or them not be able to rent from you because your spaces aren't right for that business.

[Steve]

I see no problem with a developer building a facility as a church to be leased or sold to a religious organization if they think they can make money on the deal.  Property development is a for-profit business, whatever the source.

Religion today is big business.  Just turn on the TV at look at the "mega churches" that broadcast today and their multi-million dollar facilities.  The Joel Osteens, Pat Robertsons, Marilyn Hickeys, Joyce Meyers, Rod Parselys, Paul & Jan Crouchs, and that big mouth lard donkey Hagee.  Give me your money!  Be my partner!  Sow the seed!  Reap the bounty!  Make me barf!

Whoopsie!  I digress...

[Dana431]

I was surprised to see the words developer and chapel in the same sentence.  The aforementioned chapel may be a part of a community building process.  I remembered in Bella Vista, Arkansas there is the Mildred Cooper Memorial Chapel.
 
http://www.beautifulbellavista.com/chapel.htm

This chapel is used for weddings and other functions.  By the way, I highly recommend seeing it if you're in the Bentonville area.  It's just as neat as Thorncrown chapel in Eureka Springs.

Anyways, my experience with architectural firms has been the church would consult an architect during fund raising process.  When "enough" money was raised then a building would be designed and built.  I guess there might be many ways to put a roof over an organization's services and other functions.