X Marks the Spot

Well .... Actually it is the stakes with the red flags that mark the spot where our new building will be erected. The surveyor has laid out the corners of the building and excavation of the footings will begin as soon as the soil dries out from all of our recent precipitation.

Woodsman, Spare That Tree!

It was brought to our attention by the builder that the current design of the VDOT mandated left turn lane will require removal of one of the three remaining oak trees in front of the church. The tree is the one shown in the front right of the photo. We will work with the builder and VDOT to redesign the turn lane so as to save the tree. Relocating the power pole that can be seen to the left of the drive may permit the turn lane to be moved far enough to clear the tree. This will require the church to obtain the cooperation and coordination of VDOT and Dominion Virginia Power. Pray for us.

Grading Almost Complete

The grading of the building site is completed (top photo) and most of the expansion to the parking lot is done (bottom photo). The surveyor will soon lay out the precise corners of the new building so that digging the footings can commence as soon as the site dries out from the snow. Some have asked about the top soil that was placed in the grassy area in front of the church, which is shown in the bottom photo in the February 10 post. The soil will be spread to improve the quality of the lawn there.

Progress!

The dry weather has permitted Reuwer and Son to complete removal of the unsuitable soil and begin compaction of the new soil.





Fill dirt is being placed to create the new parking area.








Union Bank & Trust places a small sign.

Site Work Slowed By Rain

The recent wet weather has delayed correction of the unsuitable soil condition. The bad soil has been removed from where the new building will be located, but the new soil is too wet to be laid down and compacted. The forecast for this week is for dry weather, so progress will resume shortly. Also, several areas that will support the new parking lot must be worked. This soil contains tree roots and residue from earlier Shiloh construction. Some of this can be seen in the dirt pile in the foreground of today's photo.

$$$ Current Financial Status $$$

The builder is under contract to deliver the new Family Life Center for $1,310,000. Additionally, the New Building Construction Committee is authorized a budget of $40,000 to cover any items not in included in the construction contract or any changes to the building the church might identify during construction. To date these items include the cost to correct the unsuitable soil issue, and purchase of the kitchen appliances.

The loan package with Union Bank & Trust allows us to borrow up to $750,000 and we currently have just over $710,000 in our New Building Fund. Since the approved budget for the building is $1,350,000, the maximum amount we will actually have to borrow is $640,000. The final amount of the loan will likely be less since we continue to receive donations to the building fund.

Our builder is scheduled to turn over a finished building in mid-August of this year. It will include the typical built-ins plus a large ceiling mounted projector screen and stage curtains for our dramas and musicals. The necessary sound equipment is not included nor are tables and chairs. As the completion date draws nearer, the New Building Committee will be seeking the church’s guidance regarding these items. A total of $1200 has already been donated for the audio equipment. The furnishings in the existing social hall may be used if desired.

Site Work Continues

As previously reported several areas of unsuitable soil were uncovered at the building site. The existence of this problem was first revealed by the core samples done at the request of our builder. Unsuitable soil is soil that is not capable of supporting the weight of the building. It turns out that a previously unknown and abandoned septic system under the parking lot was filled with rain water and keeping the soil saturated. This soil is being excavated, replaced with good soil, and compacted. This additional effort does not appear to affect the scheduled completion date of mid-August.