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NEW HOME NEWS / WHAT NOW?
On July 27, Dave DeCou, Judie Hansen and Ed Zack met with architect Gary Moye and his staff to discuss the financial status for remodeling and determine what we can afford. The following rough estimated costs show what we can do in Phase I. The money available is $600,000. The “must do” projects for us to move in a year from now include:
It is estimated we need to add between 10% and 20% for overage. The majority of the demolition work will be done with volunteer labor (except where there is asbestos). Moye will provide a list of things “we can not touch” (some electrical, mechanical and the kitchen). Two work party on site orientation sessions are scheduled for Thursday, August 5. One at 10 AM and another at 6 PM. Our first work party is Saturday, August 7 from 9 AM to 4 PM. The plan is to have work sessions every day thereafter (except Sundays) for an extended period of time. LOGISTICS OF DEMOLITION
VOLUNTEERS - Ed Zack will prepare a “Code of Work” related to safety.
Everyone needs to mark all tools they bring to the site. Zack’s tools are all marked with blue - so choose another color. Bring safety glasses, gloves, ear protection, and sturdy shoes (no sandals) . There is a job for every skill level. Not all of them involve heavy tools, lifting or being in the middle of the demolition. There is paperwork, nail pulling, dismantling theatre seats, deciphering old blueprints identifying and labeling electrical circuits and many small tasks. We can use people who can donate an hour, a day, or everyday. Ed is also willing to mentor and train anyone who would like to learn how to use power tools. We need a paperwork person - there is a job for everyone - having a quartermaster on site regularly to answer questions will leave Ed free to supervise work. The first step in the main auditorium will be gutting the room to get rid of deadening materials. We won’t know about the acoustics until all of that material is out of the room. The whole demolition process will be a fact finding mission and a work in progress. As mentioned in the newsletter, if you like to solve puzzles, we can use you! After the garage sale is over, Judie Hansen will contact everyone who reserved a room at our new building during August and September to determine whether there is space available and you still want to meet in a construction zone. Clara Barton, Pete Seeger, and all large assembly rooms will be in the demolition area. We will temporarily save the stage since any alternative would be costly. As always, if you have questions about anything related to our new building, please direct them to newhome@uueugene.org JULY 27, 2010 Participation and Decision-Making Two matters have come to the attention of UUCE leadership, specifically the Board and the BPOC, about concerns regarding plans for remodeling the new church. The first is the lack of congregational participation in the selection of the architect, and the second is the process for decision-making, again a concern about lack of participation by the congregation. In each of these matters there is a situational, pragmatic explanation, that is relevant and which we will address later. But first, there is an overriding procedural basis for the process in place that trumps all other reasoning. Indeed the congregation is footing the bill for the remodeling, has emotional, logistic, and practical investment in the outcome, and as persons so engaged in our church community, may have expected that the design process would involve discussions and mutual decision-making. If that were the case, where would it begin and at which fine detail would it end? How would we separate thoughtful caring pipe dreams from true possibilities as understood by professionals immersed in the nuts and bolts of the building? And even if it were possible to reach a consensus in a timely fashion and within budget (including the many extra architect hours that would be involved ) using such a process, what would be the effect of all those hours and all that back and forth on the congregation already stressed from our regular lives, adjusting to a ministerial transition, and stretching to fill the volunteer opportunities that already exist? And what would the effect of such a proces be on the team that was elected by the congregation to be in charge of it? In the fall of 2009, your elected Board unanimously endorsed the decisions of BPOC and empowered them to consider options among themselves, elicit outside expertise when necessary, and make choices. In this process, the BPOC would rely on information from congregational surveys and receive and answer questions and concerns from the congregation. Throughout this now almost five year process, the BPOC has sought input from the congregation and has set priorities based on information gained from listening groups, five town hall meetings, and at least two congregational surveys. Based on those priorities, the BPOC has signed a contract with and worked with architect Gary Moye and his staff to reflect those priorities in his designs. The designs presented have been based on a fully completed time line of about ten years. Based on the amount of money raised during our recent capital campaign and the amount available between now and September 2011, we have a greatly reduced amount of money to work with (approximately $600,000). The BPOC continues to maintain Question and Answer pages on the church website to answer questions from the congregation and to explain as much about their decisions as they feel the congregation may be interested in. They have posted weekly updates and provided monthly newsletter articles outlining their work. The BPOC has requested further feedback beyond the ongoing email opportunities, after the architectural plans were presented to the congregation. There have been no questions sent to newhome@uueugene.org that have not been addressed in the Q&A section of the church website. We have here an excellent example of the need to let go and let the persons we have elected to make these decisions, do so. They include highly skilled and experienced professionals, and they continue to keep the congregation’s best interests and their concerns at the heart of their work. They have spent countless hours meeting, planning, and considering. Our architect Gary Moye has developed a plan with the BPOC for Stage One construction. This plan assumes that a large part of the construction work will be done by congregational volunteers. Two orientation sessions for work party volunteers are scheduled for August 5 - at 10am and 6pm. Our first work party is Saturday, August 7 from 9am to 4pm A Green Sanctuary Committee member is present at every BPOC meeting to assist in identifying and implementing green goals and considerations in all discussions, but these goals cannot override our budget. There are many green considerations already incorporated into the plans—not as visible as solar panels might be, but they are part of the foundation of building principles of our architect, Gary Moye, including lighting, insulation, HVAC, and building materials. Even if there could be arguments that would find problems with the process or results, they are moot at this point. The BPOC is happy with Gary Moye, the feeling is mutual, and from what we understand the congregation appreciates the plans he has created. His flexibility financially has also been a boon to us. We have a signed contract that is binding, and there is no way we will break our contract with Gary. There can be no productive outcome of any arguments about the BPOC’s selection process.
A black and white design drawing for the renovation of our future home by architect Gary Moye is now posted on the BPOC bulletin board. A variety of color drawings and photographs of the architect’s model are also available on the church website beginning here. SIGN (is) UUP CELEBRATION - April 18, 2-4pm at the new 13th and Chambers property.
Loan papers signed, keys exchanged, architect contract signed and design begins for our future home at West 13th and Chambers - it was a busy month of March. On Sunday, April 18, from 2-4 PM, we will have the first of many celebrations with our “Sign UUp” event. Until renovations begin and we have accessible restrooms, we won’t be holding meetings, etc., there, but we will be responsible for lawn care, maintenance, and security. Members of the Building Project Oversight Committee (BPOC) continue to work on background items like developing a budget, changing locks, negotiating the purchase of furnishings, buying a lawnmower, working with a realtor to list our present property, ordering a new sign, arranging for security and managing rentals. If you have questions or suggestions or would like to volunteer to help please contact BPOC through newhome@uuegene.org. We add items to the Q&A portion on a regular basis and will soon develop a “wish list”. Fifty-two people attended the town hall style meeting sponsored by the Building Project Oversight Committee (BPOC) on Sunday, February 14. Dave DeCou gave an update on the status of the purchase of our future home at West 13th and Chambers (scheduled to close on March 3). An information sheet reflecting priorities expressed by the congregation over the past five years was distributed. After Dave's presentation, stations were set up around the room to receive feedback on the report and to present suggestions of items BPOC might not have listed. If you have questions related to our future home, please send them to newhome@uuegene.org. Responses will be posted on the website. Recent additions relate to a refined design and renovation timeline and how the proposed EMX routes may affect the property. February 6, 2010 Drum Roll Please! We received the approval of our zone change application on February 4, 2010 and after the final appeals period expires on February 16 we will be cleared for closing on our Future Home property at West 13th and Chambers, scheduled for March 3. On Sunday, February 14, the BPOC is hosting a Town Hall meeting in the church sanctuary at 12:30pm following the second service. Childcare will be provided, but we need to know how many children to expect no later than Wednesday, February 10. Contact Judie Hansen 541-338-2959 judie310hansen@comcast.net We have prepared an agenda handout of the information to be presented at the meeting, and it is provided here so that you have a chance to review it prior to the meeting. If you are unable to attend the town hall, but have questions or comments, please email BPOC at newhome@uueugene.org
GREAT NEWS! The soil sample testing done on our current church property came back negative, showing that the contamination from the shopping center property (Safeway) has not migrated onto the area tested. The calender continues to run on our zone change application and we do not anticipate any problems. Janine Larsen, the Pacific Northwest District Executive, was in Eugene last week and took a tour of our future home. She was delighted to finally see the space and feels it will be a very usable and exciting location. On Sunday, February 14, there will be a town hall style meeting at 12:30pm in the church sanctuary. Child care will be provided. Your Building Proiject Oversight Committee (BPOC) will review the status of money, how much has been spent on due diligence, and the cost of items to bring the building up to City codes prior to any use. For those unable to attend this meeting, there will be an opportunity to view this information electronically. After the Town Hall we will finalize our scope of work for Architect Gary Moye. The design phase will take approximately nine months. Renovations will not begin until after the design phase is complete. Based on the results of the Capital Campaign, we will ask the congregation to help rank priorities and determine how extensive Phase I renovations can be. For background information, visit any of the pages to the left (in the table of contents). If you have questions or comments about anything related to this process, contact BPOC at newhome@uueugene.org DECISION TO PURCHASE - NOV 10, 2009 On November 10, 2009, UUCE and the sellers officially removed all contingencies on the purchase of the property, except for the issue of zoning approval from the City of Eugene. This means we've taken the next step, and agreed that the property will meet our needs and that we will close the deal provided that the zoning change is approved. We have a loan commitment letter from Siuslaw Bank and anticipate that loan to cover the total cost of the purchase. The hearing with the city regarding zoning is scheduled for early December, and we should have more information after that time. This website, and the bulletin board at church will be kept updated as the process for the next steps are determined, and meetings are scheduled. Questions for the BPOC can be submitted to
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