|
More Than Just a Building Expansion Update: October 25, 2005
One more year of High Holiday Services under the Big Top
If everything goes according to our plans, we will begin construction this coming July and it will take approximately sixteen months to finish the project….which means only one more year of holding High Holiday family services under the tent. In fact, the area where the tent is placed will become an additional two rows of parking for our newly expanded space.
Construction Project Out to Bid
Our new expansion and renovation project is now in the hands of several area construction companies for their review and bidding. We have held a series of meetings with the various bidders at Beth Shalom and have given them tours of our existing space. At this time, they are all sharpening their pencils (we hope!) as they begin to provide us their feedback on our request for proposals. We have asked the firms to plan on construction beginning in July 2006 with us having full use of the existing space until our new space is ready for occupancy. Our building committee will be working closely with the architect and our construction manager to review the bid responses.
Isn’t this the truth!!
Comment made to me during the High Holidays by a mom coming out of the family tent service, “I can’t wait for us to have a building large enough so that my family can enjoy the High Holiday services inside of our own building instead of being inside of a tent.”
Site Plan Submittal Scheduled
As part of the Howard County Planning and Zoning requirement, we will be meeting with the county on November 1st to submit our site plan defining our construction details. The county will distribute the site plans to different departments for their review and comment and we anticipate getting their feedback and comments within four to six weeks.
Shovel in the Ground Timeline
For those who missed the display during the High Holidays, our timeline is to begin construction during this coming July AFTER we have raised $2.5 million dollars towards our total project costs. At this point in time, we are extremely pleased and proud to announce that we are halfway to this goal. But, we need everyone’s participation! We have spoken with only 10% of our congregation to date, so we have 90% of our families that have yet to make their pledge.
Our fundraising is continuing and we ask that as you develop your year-end tax planning, remember that our Expansion program needs your support. We will happily accept stocks and bonds as well.
Please watch for regular monthly updates in the Scroll about our exciting developments. Feel free to call Ron Meliker, Expansion Chair at 410.313.8221 or email him at ronmeliker@comcast.net with any questions or suggestions that you may have. |
