Framing was completed 3 weeks ago. Since everyone can see little that is visible has been done. Behind the scenes, though, our architect and engineer team submitted plans to the City for approval of the roof truss plans. These final truss plans are finished after framing the supporting walls is complete. These roof truss plans are now approved as of Friday the 10th.. The truss manufacturer has already prebuilt as much as they could. They should finish building the trusses within about a week and you will see them going into place. As you've already seen, our General Contractor CS Development moves very quickly on the job.

Once the roof and sheeting covering it are completed the main framing stage will be finished. Electricians, plumbers, air conditioning, fire safety and other contractors can move in to complete the rough part of their work.

Our plan submittal and approval process is now complete. The long process of submitting them and getting approval is finished. Stages of building have to be inspected on completion, but that happens quickly. So, we don't see any more of the long submittal and approval process left except for a few small details. They should not hold up the work anymore.

Also behind the scenes our Building Committee continues working on final details of the project. Rodgers Organ people are working with us on changes in the choir loft area and other volunteers from Taleo and some other groups are working with us on final details of internet wireless service and such. The Committee is also supporting our GC on final moves of gas and telephone service and such details. Many thanks for their continued effort on this project.

We're not at the finish line yet, but 4 months into the project significant progress has been made. Our GC, CS Development, is producing excellent craftsmanship and high quality work. He has also worked with us on some unforeseen plan changes and been very fair on the additional costs. His name is Cristian Szilagy, say hello when you see him and thank him for his superb efforts.

Unknowns at this point.

• When soils can be finished and impact on design, but report expected by early next week and will be taken to Building Dept. immediately to add to submittal.
• When Building Dept. will finish and what notes (exceptions) they may take to designs. Reacting to exceptions can take time as evidenced by reaction to demand for soils report.
• Budget, until we receive all bids we only have estimates on final costs. With luck all bids will be within estimates, otherwise we will have to “value engineer” project to make it fit maximum budget available.
• Some fees not yet paid. With plans submitted we can pay most fees now.

While I’m confident we have the best Building Committee you could find in our congregation (maybe any congregation), and they certainly are dedicated, the building process is complicated and things can be missed. By now with a lot of diligent efforts we think we have everything nailed down, but some things have popped up already.

I don’t know anymore we can do at this point but keep our Project in your prayers and know that a very dedicated group is literally and figuratively on the ground virtually every day to make this work. We’ll keep you updated and hope for a groundbreaking very early September.

Please remember all involved in your prayers. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Psalm 127:1

Michael Rountree, on behalf of the building committee

8/14/11

• PGE contacted early June to move gas meter. Meter now directly in path of Fellowship extension. Jim heard from rep this morning, the latest we know is they plan to move Oct. 1 approx.

• Danville Building Dept. - they immediately kicked them back for updated soils reports and additional engineering calculations. Engineering calculations added and resubmitted Aug. 3. Updated Soils Report in progress, tests being made, expect final report by week of Aug. 15. Normal turn around on plans 3 weeks from Aug. 3.
• Health Dept. - now approved
• Sanitation Dept. - now approved
• Fire Dept. - sprinkler design and kitchen design now approved. Alarms in process, don't expect this to be a big issue.
• Planning Dept. - approved plans on May 24, now require set of plans just to verify nothing added since their approval. Nothing has been added, don't expect any issue here.
• Contractors for bid/proposals - five have looked at plans, 3 are currently actively preparing proposals. We expect to review these proposals next week and plan to select a GC by Aug. 19.
• LCEF - pre-approved for loan, but we have to name a GC and have contracts in place for everything before they will give us final approval. No construction can start until their final approval received and it takes 10 business days for them to process the loan.

Since our last report, final plans have come together for the building project including the construction details and associated fire safety, electrical, lighting, kitchen appliances and such. The Planning Commission approved the concept plans on May 24 with few notes, all of which have been addressed. Some last minute concerns about the Sunday School room lay-outs and space allocation have been addressed and resolved.

So, we are in the process of gaining final approval from several Agencies and the permit to proceed. While waiting for this, we are meeting with prospective contractors leading to a decision on which to hire. Our plan is to have a contractor in place by August 1 so we are prepared as quickly as the permit is issued. Hopefully that will occur by August 1 and we will break ground.
Plans are also being made to move the modulars. One will stay in the parking lot for temporary class room space until the Sunday School building is completed. Both are available for sale, if anyone has any ideas on finding a home for them, let one of us know.
At this stage of the project you can see the Committee meeting weekly dealing with final details. This will continue throughout the balance of the project to keep the project going as smoothly as possible.

Please remember all involved in your prayers. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Psalm 127:1

Michael Rountree, on behalf of the building committee

Working Drawings (PDF)

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