Construction, as I’m learning, is a funny thing.  It is much more like herding cats than conducting a symphony.  It is trying to keep everyone working, doing the things they are supposed to be done, HOW they are supposed to be done without any major catastrophies.  Every now and again the work stops down for reasons out of everyone’s control.  Right now we are waiting on anchor bolts.  Lyle really doesn’t want the gym to fall over after it is built so we need long, thick bolts to sink into the concrete to anchor the steel to.  But the manufacturer hasn’t gotten them to us yet so…. we wait.  Likewise, we wait for our building permit.  There are so many people who have to sign off on countless things it tends to bottleneck at times.  So, while we could be pouring more concrete we wait for bolts. And while we could be doing other things we wait for our final building permit.

But it is ok to wait.  Everything in HIS timing.  So, while we wait we pray.  We pray for all these things to happen in HIS timing and that we don’t get in the way (too much).  Join with us as we wait on the Lord and pray.

Have a great day.

Here is a building update from our General Contractor, Lyle Hofferth.  Some great things are happening.

Enjoy.Since the last progress report we have been able to accomplish several aspects of constructing the Grace Church Addition

A. By working with Terry Brown, civil and traffic engineer, we have been able to reduce the City of Albuquerque impact fees resulting in a savings of $34,901.51. In addition, Terry did his work for no cost to Grace Church. This was an additional savings of $3,500.00. We have also been able to co-ordinate a 15% reduction in the Drainage Facilities Fee of $4,593.60 by buying other builder’s credits.

B. After obtaining the Foundation Permit the critical path involved two items to be completed - an accurate/complete set of drawings and a determination of the City of Albuquerque on the impact fees. Last week we obtained the final drawings. The plans were corrected by the civil engineer and architect to reflect the existing site conditions. The impact fees were also determined last week; thus, the plans were submitted to the City for approval for the final building permit. The shop drawings were completed today detailing information about the red iron. I provided a copy to Forgemaster Iron for fabrication of the iron.

C. Since we have obtained the Foundation Permit from the City of Albuquerque, which allowed us to get started on 12/3/08, we have been able to complete the following in respect to the building:

1. Grubbed the building site.
2. Over excavated the building pad per the Vinyard geotechnical investigation.
3. Dug the footings.
4. Roughed-in the plumbing and electrical under the slab.
5. Installed the gas mitigation (20 mil plastic underlayment) and poured concrete for one half of the footings and slab.
6. Partially completed the gas mitigation and the footings for the balance of the building.

D. In addition to the building we have been able to complete the following:

1. Rerouted electrical from transformer area around the existing church building, over the classroom roof, to the electrical termination box on the North side in the playground.
2. Completed (6) six stone boxes over utility lines penetrating the Grace Church site. Each stone box requires a relief pipe to out gas any methane resulting from the
adjacent landfill.
3. Grubbed the ponding area and installed a 12″ drain pipe draining water from the ponding area to the street.
4. Installed (2) two 6″ pipes extending from an inlet box (which will be located in front of the gym) to a street cut on San Antonio.
5. Rerouted gas and Quest lines so they don’t transverse under the gym and class room.

E. We have had to adjust the grades for the sidewalk and curb and gutter for the handicap parking area. SSS Construction is in the process of cutting/filling to the new grades.

WE HAVE CONCRETE!  Instead of simply having a dirt lot in front of the existing building we now have the beginnings of a concrete foundation.  The NE corner of the building has a slab.  This is the place where we will have 6 new classrooms.  Exciting stuff.

We also are awaiting final approval of our drawings for our building permit.  Right now we only have a foundation permit, so we cannot do any more than pour the foundation until we have a final permit.  Please pray that we get that permit quickly, it can take up to 60 days at the City office. (I hope it is sooner for us…)

Other than that, things are going quite well.  The bathrooms in the west end of the building are almost tiled and will be ready for Sunday (Lord willing).

Thanks for being patient with us and the building mess.

Aaron

The church is getting a new look on both the inside and out. We will start to lay tile and finish the indoor rennovation shortly. Outside, the big machines are making a big mess. The footer and piers for the foundation has been dug. Forms are being put in place and concrete will be poured shortly. All the drainage pipes on the west side of the church (in the vacant lot) are almost finished as well. Lyle, our general contractor said the weather has been great for construction this week.

Enjoy the pictures from this week’s construction.

After dealing with committees and city officials, it is official.  We are finally moving earth.  The footprint of the new building is up and they are excavating for the foundation.  Here are some pictures of what is going on.

Enjoy!

Check here regularly for updates and photos on the building going on around Grace Church!