Building update
Our architect, Cyril Stewart, and our contractor who is providing pre-construction services have been busy: they are completing plans for permitting and they are finalizing cost estimates for various parts of our renovation project. These estimates will allow the Administrative Council to review and discuss the total renovation budget, in order to determine the scope of work to be done. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could accomplish all items on our list (elevator, South entrance, HVAC upgrades, bathrooms, kitchen, floor and lighting upgrades, chapel, sanctuary balcony, and landscaping) without major tweaking? We are on track to begin construction at the beginning of May, assuming that all necessary Metro permits and approvals will have been issued by that time.
Some research is necessary to complete plans for the elevator. According to the blueprints of the 1958 building, the foundations are strong enough to support an elevator inside the building. We want to be certain that the foundations have indeed been built according to specs, and so we authorized the contractor to dig through the floor of the pantry to take the necessary measurements. This work will happen next week.
Testing for asbestos throughout the building has been completed, and we are expecting results within a week or two. We need to complete any abatement work before construction begins.
Landscaping plans have been sent to several contractors. In addition to proposals for hardscaping and planting, we will also get pricing for maintenance agreements (cutting grass, trimming shrubs, maintaining beds and trees). We are confident that landscaping work will begin before spring.