Campus building update

Since the session approval of the campus concept plan work has continued on improvements to our campus. Our architects, BCRA, have provided initial schematic designs for both buildings and reviewed them with the staff and members of the building committee. The changes resulting from those meetings are being worked on now. The entire church property has been surveyed to confirm all the property lines and easements prior to submitting building permit requests and a geo-technical survey has been completed to determine if the soil on which new additions will be built will support foundations.

Percolation tests have also been run to determine if permeable parking surfaces can be used (they can) to limit the amount of water runoff from our property. Members of the building committee have visited Multonomah Presbyterian Church to look at the narthex and office addition which they recently completed and to look at sanctuary chairs they purchased(they look good). Thanks to some advance giving by members of the congregation the building fund has been started and is being used to pay for architectural services being provided by BCRA. We hope to have schematic drawings to share with the whole congregation within the next six weeks.

Monthly Updates will be provided
Continue to check for various updates related to the building project at Columbia Presbyterian.

Building Committee Help Wanted

The building committee is looking for a few good people to serve on the following sub-committees:

• Interior design and furnishings;
• Exterior design and landscaping;
• Construction management; and
• Financial management.

If you have skills in one of those areas and feel that God is calling you to help please fill out an application. Applications are available at the welcome center.  We would like all applications to be in by Easter.

Building Committee Brief to Congregation – March 18, 2012

For those of you who missed last Sunday’s building committee briefing, here’s a quick synopsis of the information presented.

Why build now?

• Not accessible – elderly and disabled
• Narthex – too crowded & not arranged well
• Sanctuary – remember the numbers, sound, lighting, etc
• Classrooms – need more and updated
• Choir & music – practice and worship space
• Heating/HVAC – on its last leg
• Plumbing – leaking and outdated
• Electrical – GFI plugs don’t exist (fire hazard), circuit breakers out of date
• Fire Protection – sprinklers required
• Foundation – Education wing settling issue
• Flooring – needs updating and replacement
• Sewers – needs replacement

What will it look like?

North Campus schematic design

Main building upper floor

Main building lower floor

The Building Concept summarized:

• Central elevator
• Sanctuary seating from 288 to 500+
• Gathering space nearly doubles in size
• Chapel on same level as Sanctuary
• Choir room behind chancel and on same level
• Additional classrooms, dedicated library and prayer spaces
• Fellowship hall expands with patio outside
• Two north campus conference/meeting rooms.
• Youth space moved to south side of upper campus with large windows overlooking the church
• Two buildings connected visually
• All areas accessible by all, modern heating/HVAC and Safe
• More parking, permeable surface

Surprising Facts Update: Repair Only Cost Update!

It was originally estimated that costs related to the simple repairs of current facilities would be $1.5 million. Since then, the building committee has studied the problem at length. Many of our current facilities (sanctuary, kitchen, fellowship hall) fail to meet current building codes or federal disability codes. And, any work to "simply repair" the facilities will trigger a requirement that all upgraded areas must meet current city code and ADA requirements. In other words, we cannot simply "repair and replace" - we must upgrade many of our central systems. In short, a simple "repair and replace" project would probably have a price tag of between $2.5 and $3 million.

Monthly Updates will be provided
So, check your inbox for next month's newsletter.

Episode 4: A New Campus

The building committee rejoices in announcing that session, in its regularly scheduled meeting on January 24, 2012, approved the campus concept plan developed by the architectural firm BCRA, recommended by the building committee and presented to those attending the congregational meeting on February 5, 2012. The next steps are to have more preliminary detail drawings done by BCRA and present them to the session and the congregation for their input. Based on session and congregation input and consensus Final detail plans will be presented for session and congregational approval. Session will call congregational meetings to provide information to the congregation as the work progresses, answer questions and consider plans before a congregational vote is held. Work on the preliminary drawings has already begun.

The campus concept plan was developed with congregational, staff and ministry team input over a number of months. Highlights of the plan include an expanded gathering space, expanded worship and teaching spaces, modernization of all spaces, a modern HVAC system in both buildings and full access to all spaces for people with mobility issues(this includes an elevator). Please continue to pray for wisdom and discernment for the building committee, the session and the architectural firm so that facility improvements will enable Columbia to better accomplish God’s plan for our congregation and help us to reach out to those who do not know Him yet. Volunteer applications to help with various aspects of the project are available at the welcome center in the narthex.

Surprising Facts: Volume 14

How big are our facilities and how big will they be if we adopt and implement the recommended option?
Both buildings together currently total 45,808 square feet. If the recommended option is adopted and implemented, total square footage will grow to 59,342 square feet. 18,901 square feet will undergo what is classified as interior improvements; 26,157 feet will undergo major interior renovation; and an additional 14,284 square feet in new construction will be added to our buildings.

Next Week: Free Blazer Tickets
Yes, we're kidding. But look for next week's newsletter anyway.

Surprising Facts: Volume 13

What are some of the highlights of the proposed master plan?
An elevator will be installed and all facilities will be made accessible to the disabled. The Chapel floor will be on the same level as the narthex. The sanctuary will be expanded to seat 500 people. The fellowship hall and narthex will be significantly expanded. There will be additional classrooms.

The north campus building will be completely remodeled to include all offices, the youth center which will include rooms for small group breakout sessions, and a face lift of the exterior. The north edge of the south campus parking lot will be moved approximately 10 feet north to make up for some of the parking lost through the expansion of the sanctuary.

The Kinder property will be made into a parking area.

Next Week: More Answers to Financing
How big are our facilities, and how big will they be if we adopt and implement the recommended option?