Accessibility Update
by Fred Bowell and Carol Capps
co-chairs, Task Force on Accessibility and Renovation
MARCH WILL BE A TIME OF DECISION
As shared at the annual meeting, the lowest bids for our accessibility
and renovation project came in 30% over earlier estimates, at slightly
under $1.6 million. As a result, the Building Committee met with
our architect and the two lowest bidders to identify and discuss
possible cost reductions that would bring the bids down to a more
financially manageable level. Some of the proposed reductions include
substitution of one material for another less costly. Others involve
simplification of the design – for example, eliminating the
skylights in the atrium and substituting ceiling lighting. Still
others involve exterior changes, such as eliminating retaining walls
for landscaping and substituting gravel in place of a concrete patio
in front of the social hall.
In addition, after extensive discussion the Committee decided to treat
three items as alternate add-ons. The three are: improved sanctuary
lighting, the portico outside the atrium, and renovation of the social
hall. Treating them as alternate add-ons means we will seek separate
cost figures for those three items from the bidders, so that we can
consider postponing one or more if necessary, or alternatively and
preferably, add them back in if financially feasible. As of mid-February
our architect, Andre Houston, was revising the plans to incorporate
the proposed changes. He will send the revised plans back to the two
competing bidders and ask them to submit their best bid within two
to three weeks, along with cost figures for the three alternate add-ons.
It is the Building Committee's hope that we will not have
to delete any of these three items from the project. But we also recognize
that we need additional pledges to secure the loan that would be required,
and to be able to handle the monthly payments comfortably, should the
bids be as high as $1.4 million including the alternate add-ons. Letters
recently sent to the whole congregation pose the challenge: Will enough
additional members pledge and enough who have already pledged increase
their pledges to finance the project as originally planned? And, are
others who have already pledged for 3 or 5 years willing to extend
their pledge for an additional year or more? We ask you to prayerfully
consider stretching in whatever way best fits your financial situation
in order to make this happen.
The Building Committee's tentative timeline calls for congregational
discussion after worship on March 14. By then we should have the revised
bids back from the two competing contractors. This would offer an opportunity
for questions and expression of views about the scope and financing
of the project. If called for, we could continue the discussion after
worship on March 21. We hope the congregation will be ready to vote
on whatever proposal emerges from the Committee, as informed by congregational
discussion, on March 28.
Another reason to increase the number and amount of pledges.
As we talk with lending institutions in search of the best deal for
a loan, they will ask: "How broad a base of support do you have
and how much money have you raised from your congregation?" -The
greater the number of members pledging and the higher the total of
pledges, the stronger our bargaining position will be in seeking a
loan.
Next
Article - The Augustanan Home
|
