Renovation Project Priorities Comments
Comments from:
Send your comments to us.
Jeff Serfass
Thanks for the hard work and a very good meeting. I think it helped educate a number of us about both the renovation decisions and
the funding decisions to be made, and there was good discussion of the issues. My comments:
We should look hard at how to do Groups 1 through 4. However, assuming that there may only be Group 1 funded, I would like to do
those things that are necessary to take care of our building, first, and those things that will improve the appearance at modest
cost, second.
I don't see how you eliminate anything from Group 1. If we cannot do anything beyond Group 1, then I would add to Group 1 the
following:
Group 2 #3 - Upgrade fire doors to Narthex from Parish Building
Group 2 #4 - New wiring and lighting in Narthex
Group 2 #7 - Carpet Narthex
Group 4 #1 - Refinish balcony front
Group 4 #2 - Refinish wood pews and floor beneath them
I will get involved in the Building Campaign committee and will urge creativity and faith in mortgaging our future somewhat,
including better use of the bequests, seeking new bequests, and new pledges... all in order to figure how what increased funding we
can identify. We are making decisions that will affect our church's legacy for decades. We must look beyond the immediate,
present congregation.
Dale McDaniel
Thanks for all of the hard work of the committee in putting together information for the congregation on renovation options for the
building. You have done a good job of simplifying a complex subject.
As I said in my earlier note and at the meeting, we (speaking for Deana and myself) believe that the scope of the initial phase of
the project should be about $1M, perhaps 1.1 or 1.2 if the campaign committee is extraordinarily successful. As I look at Julie's
detail income numbers now (cash coming in at about $125-150 a year) I think that even $1M is going to be a stretch, but I think that
we should make that stretch. Even that means that the congregation is going to have to extend all existing pledges at least at their
current level for another 3 or 3 1/2 years.
For us the priorities are replastering and painting, organ removal and reinstallation, new glass/wood doors, stained glass windows,
wood/glass screen wall (from group 2) and new carpeting. Beyond that, as money permits, we would do sound system improvements,
lighting and whatever possible on HAV. ADA access and balcony railing would not be in our first grouping. We are ambivalent about
the robe storage/ air return and removing the carpet in front of the chancel.
I don't think that it makes sense to do more detailed work architecturally beyond groups one and two. By the time they are ready
for implementation a whole other group of people and ideas will be planning the work.
Mike Anderson
First, thank you for your work.
Estimates of congregational financial support are necessary to move on.
If the estimate from the finance committee show that groups 1, 2, and 3 are financially feasible, I personally support these 3
groups. I agree with the prioritization of the narthex renovations prior to the chancel renovations. I support tackling the HVAC
renovations in conjunction with replastering and other scaffolding work.
Even if not financially feasible, I advocate completion of group 1 - these projects must be completed. Procrastinating these
projects will not only increase the cost of fixing them in the future, but will actually depreciate the value of the property and
risk our ability to continue to worship at this location. Moisture, mold, and safety concerns cannot be neglected. The price of
continuing to worship in this historic building is to accept these costs. If the congregation cannot pay for these within the
project's timeframe, I support financing this work. I would support the sale of other Luther Place assets to complete Group 1,
but only Group 1. I would also support taking a loan against equity in the property to complete Group 1.
Do we have any estimate for the increase in appraised property value that would be associated with completing the renovation work?
I believe being good stewards of the congregation's contributions dictate that we do not spend any money on architectural fees
for work the congregation does not support. I don't support spending $1 for architectural fees associated with Groups 4 and 5.
Again, thank you for your work.
The Renovation Committee invites your comments. If you have a message for the committee, you can send it to them at: Renovation@LutherPlace.org.
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Luther Place Memorial Church
1226 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20005
E-mail: info@LutherPlace.org
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