Update 8.6.09

Approved! In June 2007, we hired a civil engineer to begin work on a site plan for our facility expansion. Today at 9:45AM I arrived at York County's Environmental Services offices to pick up a set of drawings that had the long awaited 'approved' stamp and signature on them. Rejoice with us in this major milestone accomplishment!

Update 7.23.09

While nothing is yet finalized, we've definitely seen positive movement the past week. We heard from York County last week and while we didn't get the final approval yet, the remaining issues are relatively minor. One of the issues regarding adding a deeper section to one of the retention ponds has already been addressed and the other has to do with VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation). VDOT's approval is separate from York Co.'s so YC won't give final approval until they hear from VDOT. The comments from VDOT were relatively minor so we don't expect any issues there - we're just at their mercy of when they complete their review.

We also received bids from five general contractors last Thursday (7/16) which gave us the cost of all of the work. Again, nothing is finalized but we were very pleased with the bids and feel that God granted us favor in this area. The bids were broken down into a base bid which included the site work (ponds, paving, landscaping, etc.), the kitchen/restroom/lobby areas completely finished and the shell of the gymnasium and then three alternates. Alternate 1 gave us a price to completely finish the gym. Alternate 2 gave us the price to build the shell of the classroom wing and alternate 3 gave us the price to completely finish the classroom wing.

All of these prices have been submitted to the Board of Elders who are prayerfully considering them and what they believe God is calling us do regarding scope of work and borrowing money. Please keep them in prayer - especially this Monday night (July 27). Also be in prayer that we can wrap up the remaining site plan issues by the end of July.

Update 7.2.2009

As we wait for York County to review the site plan, the bidding process rolls on. Almost daily now we get calls from contractors who need to visit our facilities to see exactly what they are bidding on. Again, the bid opening date is Thursday, July 16 - just two weeks from today. We should hear something from York County next week. Keep praying!

Update 6.22.2009

Steps forward... Over the past week it's felt like things are starting to move more quickly now. A couple of key events took place last week that I'd like to share with you.

One was that the architectural drawings for the building were finished and copies of these drawings and specifications were handed out to a select list of seven general contractors to begin the bidding process. We also met with those contractors on Thursday (6/18) for a 'pre-bid' meeting where they got to meet us, we got to hear their initial questions and we got to explain specifically how we envision the whole process will work. The bid date is not yet established but we should receive prices in early July.

Secondly, our site engineer finished all of the changes to his drawings and our site plan was re-submitted to York County, for what we hope is the final review and approval, on Friday (6/19). York County states that it will complete the review in 15 working days so we should hear something by July 10.

With both items, the ball is now in someone else's court and all we can do is wait. Continue to pray with us that we will find favor in the eyes of contractors and county reviewers.

Update 6.4.2009

Met with our architect and site engineer this morning to go over the final changes. Lots of dotting i's and crossing t's but nothing major. Plan is to get the changes to the site drawings done and have a final internal review on Monday (6/8) afternoon and re-submit the site plan to York County on Tuesday or Wednesday. We are still on track to start handing out drawings and specifications to general contractors early next week as well.