The possibility of a new space study space for Lincoln students and faculty grows more promising every day.

The Cardinal Times first reported on the project last November, and progress has since been made. The space, referred to as the “Cardinal Nest,” was first conceived by parent Abby Schwartz and would be located at 1215 S.W. 16th Avenue in a vacant building behind the bleachers.

In collaboration with a group of students in the Math Connections class, Schwartz has been able to figure out the amount of funds needed to make the Cardinal Nest a reality. Donations towards the space amount to over $23,000, including pledges and donated items, while the project has a goal of reaching $500,000. This would provide space for the Nest, and furniture for lounging and studying.

Donations are now tax deductible under the IRS. “We could get in the door in 4-6 weeks if we had the money,” Schwartz said, who estimated that 8-12 weeks would be needed to for the interior of the building to be in a state where students could use the facility.

“Getting the word out and raising money is what we are doing now,” Schwartz said. Last year Schwartz researched how to make the business legal in order to make donations a possibility. “We were able to make the business legal and get the nonprofit status so donations could actually happen,” Schwartz said.

While referred to as the “Cardinal Nest,” a name coined by the business class, it won’t be directly tied into the school. “We won’t actually be affiliated with the school, we’re a community organization for the school,” she said.

Once the fundraising is complete, the project would be implemented in two phases: preparation, and full use of the space. Phase one pertains to gaining support and finding a business owner to partner with for the real estate. Schwartz is also looking into getting food carts and other vendors to cater to the space. The second phase would include the construction of the different student areas in the space and opening it up.

A blueprint of the Nest includes conventional space for eating and studying, but also features a stage and projector for live music or movie screenings put on by students or parents.

However, the new space is not only for students. Teachers would be able to use the new facility as well as a space to provide academic help and relax. “The Cardinal Nest would be a space where I could conceive myself as going and having positive interaction with students but also being able to get work done or a sandwich,” Math Connections teacher Chadwick Hamilton said.

“The majority of the people think that there is a big need, the students definitely think that it will be a good thing,” Schwartz said. Currently a group of students in Math Connections have been working on gaining support from food vendors and helping with publicity. In order to make sure food lines will be shorter, the Coding Club has also been working on an IOS/Android app to help with pre-ordering food.

Senior Will Leo is one of these students. “We really just don’t have enough space for all of the people here and for all the things that are happening here,” he said on a video advocating for more space on the Cardinal Nest Facebook page.

The goal is to have the space open by September 2015 if the needed funds are received.

To check out the Facebook page, click here: https://www.facebook.com/LHSCardinalnest

To see the website, click here: http://www.cardinalnestpdx.com/home