Moving the Meter

   Moving a water meter is no simple task. They use folks with shovels, chainsaws and a big vacuum truck, but move it they did!! We still have water to the office area and the Memorial Lounge restroom is functioning. No water to the kitchen and the other restrooms are being de-constructed. Meanwhile, kitchen cabinets are coming out.
   Eric Johnson stopped by after work to take some more photos which he will post on the Wayside UCC Face Book page.
   The Wayside Men's Fellowship will meet tonight, but we will gather in the Memorial Lounge rather than the back youth room. All of the "old" sidewalks are now torn up.
   Our Tuesday Study group met for the last session of our study about Paul. As we watched the final video session, we had to turn the volume up and down depending on the construction (or destruction) noise. People are excited as things are being transformed.

Monday Morning

   Things are humming today! As you can see by the pictures, the roof eave is coming off. The lower photo shows that there is no more gable on the roof to the parking lot canopy. I hear the steady rumble of saws and the skidsteer (aka Bobcat).
   Yesterday, Eric Johnson, Tricia Gabriel and Steve Guy, coordinated the efforts of many Wayside volunteers to move "stuff" from areas that will be under construction to our storage shed around the corner. I had to leave before everything was complete, but Eric reported that the storage shed is FULL.
   Eric also captured several good pictures yesterday and has posted them on Face Book at the Wayside UCC site. Please feel free to go to the site and "like" us if you haven't done that already.
   The electrician is also on-site today, deconstructing the electric baseboard heat in Fellowship Hall and working in the kitchen.

"Upon the Roof"

More work is being done today on the roof. Tile have been stripped back and they are removing a section of the eaves for the new roof slope. Most of the roof will stay intact. Now I'm going home and enjoy the rest of my "day off".
   Don't forget, on Sunday morning (after worship, not during) we will move stuff to our rented storage shed around the corner on 312th. Many hands make ligh work.

"Holy Puddle, Batman!"

Who says we don't need better drainage? This photo was taken from Fellowship Hall, looking out the main entrance toward the parking lot. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO COME IN THIS WAY ON SUNDAY MORNING!

What is happening today? The irrigation/sprinkler company (Karjala) is here to move the the irrigation lines. I'm not sure if they are moving the sprinkler meter or if they need to wait for Lakehaven to move the water meter on Tuesday (3/5). Also, the roof guys are removing a few tiers of tile shingles to make way for the new roof line.

I don't think the workers were too happy about the rain today, but they seem to be used to it. Onward!

Finally!!

  I can't believe we have been waiting since September of 2012 to get this project off the ground, but today there was visible evidence that things are beginning to happen. The sidewalk is being demolished so new footings can be dug and cement poured to create a new foundation for expansion.

  It was the first part of February when the City of Federal Way approved the plans submitted by HHJ (our architectural and construction firm). We signed the final contract and now things have begun.

  I may not get daily posts, but you can expect something new 2-3 times a week. If I get good enough at this, I might even try to insert a video at some point. I think I will spare you the picture of the Honey Bucket. Completion target is June 21, 2013.

On the Drawing Board

   Last Thursday (Sept. 20th), the Wayside Project Team met with representatives of HHJ, our design/build firm. We went over the drawings they have done and presented our thoughts about aspects of the layout and things that definitely need to be included. HHJ has brought a new architect on board to work with Chee Tung on the project. At the end of the meeting, they were confident they had everything they need to complete the drawings and take them to the City of Federal Way to begin the permitting process. If all goes well, actual construction might begin around December.

   I just heard from our insurance company this morning and we have reached a final settlement on the damage created by vandalism back in March of 2011. The insurance company has been cooperating with us all along our process. We just needed to wait for the Chapel skylight to be replaced and get the official invoices back to our insurance agent. It looks like they will cover the costs, minus a bit for depreciation and our deductable.

   Please remember that we are in the midst of a "Stepping Ahead Matching Gift" program!! Any new gifts or extensions of original pledges will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $75,000. In this manner, we hope to eliminate or greatly reduce the extra $150,000 we will have to borrow to complete the project in the manner we want. If you haven't received a "Matching Gift" commitment card, please contact the church office.

   No pictures, but we are a couple of steps closer to our goal. Our loan papers with the UCC Cornerstone Fund have been signed as well as the Deed of Trust. Everything was in order, so they gave us the go-ahead to record the Deed of Trust with King County, which I did this afternoon. Proof of the recording has been sent along to Cleveland, so now we wait for the final OK. That will open our access to our loan and we can move ahead with final drawings.

   I know there was a lot of excitement as we wrapped up our Stepping Ahead Capital Campaign on Easter. There was more excitement when we voted to take a further step ahead and borrow extra money to complete the project the way we wanted. This summer has been busy behind the scenes with getting all of the paperwork in order. I want to thank Norris P. for all of his work on the loan document. Our Office Manager, Tricia G. and our historian, Myrna H. helped track down information as well. A big thank you to Bob D. who did the legal work for our "Opinion of Counsel", a necessary part of the closing process.

   We still need to be patient, because there will not be any physical work done until the building permits are approved and HHJ bids the project. That could be 2-3 months. We don't need a Fellowship Hall for Christmas anyway, right? Mary, Joseph and Jesus got shoved into a stable, so I'm sure we can make do with the Chapel.