Accessibility and Renovation Update:
We're Getting There!
It may seem like construction will never end -- especially to
office staff who have been putting up with noise, dust, and periodic
power disruptions for months now -- but we are making progress.
As many noticed, in mid-December lighting was installed in the sanctuary
to give us more light and illuminate our lovely dark wood ceiling that
rarely got our attention before. Also, we now have a functioning bathroom
in the narthex (much needed as the weather turns colder!), although
there is still carpentry and other finishing to be done.
There is also progress to report in other areas. The basic structural
work has been completed in the social hall (go down the back stairs
and peek in if you haven't yet). Lighting, closet doors, floor
finishing, and painting remain. The projected completion date for the
social hall is early February.
Construction is also proceeding in the undercroft, although work stopped
on the chapel ceiling when leaking pipes were discovered. We are now
working with an engineer familiar with Augustana’s mechanical
infrastructure to determine what needs to be done in order to ensure
our infrastructure is problem-free before construction progresses.
The projected completion date for the undercroft is February 23.
And finally, things are beginning to happen between our two buildings.
The covered entry and the outside wall, with arches for the door and
windows, are taking shape. The elevator is ready and is being stored
off-site. There are still too many unknowns for our contractor, Kfoury,
to give us a firm completion date. They are aiming for everything to
be finished by Easter, March 27. We'll see...
With respect to financing, the Taskforce expresses appreciation to
all who so generously supported accessibility and renovation with pledges
and contributions during the past year. We received approximately $180,000
for the Accessibility and Renovation Fund during 2004, thanks to the
generosity of so many. If we can retain that level of contributions
into the foreseeable future, we should have a secure base of funding
to meet our loan obligations to the ELCA Mission Investment Fund, our
lender for this project.
If your pledge was for three years and is now fulfilled, we urge you
to continue contributing at that level or higher. Also, we hope all
of us will continue to think of Augustana's Accessibility and
Renovation Fund when we wish to honor someone on their birthday or
give a gift in memory of a loved one.
Fred Bowell and Carol Capps, Co-chairs Next
Article - The Augustanan Home
|
