D R A F T (6/1/07)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Answers to some of your questions about the KFPC Facility Expansion

Why did we embark on this project?

Why are we doing this now?

I keep hearing about the VISION 2006 Team.  Who are they?

How did we arrive at the final project design?

Does the design not only meet our current facility needs, but have sufficient flexibility for the future?

What are the plans for our current sanctuary?

What was voted on at the special Congregational meeting last August?

How much will the Project cost?

How are we paying for this Project?

How will the financing of the Project proceed?

When does construction begin?

Will there be any opportunity for "sweat equity"?

Why did we embark on this project?

The single and primary driver of our Facilities Expansion Project has been the call of God to share the saving gospel of Jesus Christ here at 2000 W Kennewick.  Our need to enlarge the facilities of our church is made up of two parts: first, our family of faith, young and old alike, has been growing; second, our facilities, which for the most part were gifts from earlier generations in our church, are at, or beyond, their capacity.  We are figuratively and actually "bursting at the seams," whether it's in classroom space, meeting space, music practice space, work space, storage space, 'meet and mingle' space, or even worship space. (Return to top)

Why are we doing this now?

Our facility expansion needs were initially identified more than 8 years ago, and Session appointed committees and teams have been addressing these needs ever since.  From a long range planning and execution standpoint, we are actually "behind the curve" in preparing for the next phase of church growth and program expansion. (Return to top)

I keep hearing about the VISION 2006 Team.  Who are they?

1. In late 2004, Session appointed George Garlick and Dan Kutschkau as co-leaders of a new Team charged with making facilities expansion happen here at KFPC.  George and Dan recruited some of the best members and friends of our congregation to join the VISION 2006 Team.  Major subgroups include Financial Planning (led by Howard Baird), Allowances (led by Kevin Ferguson), Contract Negotiations (led by Ken Rice), Design Review (led by Bob Iten), and Construction (with co-leaders Gary Miller and Dan Easton).  More than 60 individuals have been involved in this 30-month effort. (Return to top)

How did we arrive at the final project design?

1. In October, 2005, Ron Lacey of Bainbridge Island was selected as Project Architect. A draft Schematic Design was shared with the Congregation in January, 2006 and, following additional input and feedback, revised in March. Apollo, Inc. was then chosen to join us and the Architect on our design-build team as Construction Contractor. Last summer, working together, the design was further developed, and subsequently "tailored" by the team, in order to match the financial capability of the Congregation. Subsequently, the Session enthusiastically and unanimously endorsed the final Facilities Expansion Design, as prepared by the Project Architect. Session also approved the general Financial Plan for the Project, including a combined Building Fund / Operating Fund Fiscal Campaign(Return to top)

Does the design not only meet our current facility needs, but have sufficient flexibility for the future?

The Session, Session-led Ministry Teams, church staff, and individual members of the Congregation all contributed to the facility 'needs' list which originally informed the Architect.  A special Task Force of Session members has carefully evaluated the final design to be sure that not only are all currently identified needs being met, but also there is sufficient functional flexibility in the design to meet the evolving needs of the near- and intermediate-term future. (Return to top)

What are the plans for our current sanctuary?

There are no plans for any modifications of our current sanctuary as a part of this project.  Modifications at this time would divert funding from the expansion project, could possibly lead to the entire existing main building needing to be upgraded to current code, and would subvert the aim of ensuring minimal disruption to the present buildings during construction.  Session is studying this matter of the current sanctuary as part of long range planning for the entire campus here at KFPC.  One of the needs identified by many of the mission areas is the need for a large meeting space.  With our Congregation's penchant for finding multiple and flexible uses for space, it is anticipated that, even without modifications, the present sanctuary will be used for weddings, memorial services, small worship services such as Evensong, large CE classes such as "Tuesdays with Paul," fellowship get-togethers, mission outreach such as Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, and worship space for special events such as Walk with Christ or Presbytery meetings. (Return to top)

What was voted on at the special Congregational meeting last August?

1. Session and the VISION 2006 Team presented the entire Facilities Expansion Project at the special Congregational meeting held on August 27, 2006. The Congregation overwhelmingly approved the final scope and design of the Project.(Return to top)

How much will the Project cost?

1. Apollo, Inc. has provided a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $3.0 million for construction. Architectural, engineering, variable and other expenses bring the overall total cost to $3.75 million. (Return to top)

How are we paying for this Project?

1. The VISION 2006 Financial Planning Team, with the support of the Rev. Ana Lugo from Church Financial Campaign Service of PC(USA), planned, prepared for, and carried out a very successful capital fundraising campaign last fall. Special pledge cards and a beautiful brochure designed by MaryLynn Merriman were used, and every member / friend of First Pres was contacted and invited to participate. By the end of the year, nearly $1.9 million had been pledged to the EXCEL IN GRACE Building Fund. In addition, an anonymous donor offered a long-term line of credit of up to $2.0 million at 5% interest, thus ensuring the entire facilities expansion undertaking.(Return to top)

How will the financing of the Project proceed?

1. As of June 1, the Building Fund balance, deposited at AmericanWest Bank, was already almost $600,000. Once construction begins, we will meet invoiced expenses first using these monies, and then drawing on our line of credit. At the special meeting on February 25^th, the Congregation approved a $2.0 million debt limit. This is the amount of indebtedness anticipated to be remaining at the end of this first EXCEL IN GRACE pledge period in December, 2009. (Return to top)

When does construction begin?

The City of Kennewick has granted the necessary Conditional Use Permit, and building permits are anticipated shortly. The official ground-breaking has been scheduled for June 24 with an appropriate ceremony and a celebratory luncheon. (Return to top)

How long will construction take?

The draft construction schedule calls for all of the new buildings to be roofed and closed in by the end of this year. Although there may be a period of minimal activity later, to allow for additional pledge monies to accumulate, occupancy of our facilities expansion should be completed by fall, 2008. (Return to top)

Will there be any opportunity for "sweat equity"?

The contributions of our members and friends in the building of FirstPresCenter were essential.  That was a project undertaken under the aegis of Craftsmen for Christ, an organization which, unfortunately, no longer exists.  Our construction contract with Apollo has been written to allow for volunteer labor  - so-called "sweat equity"  -  but such assistance will not be crucial to the successful completion of this project. On the other hand, as the schedule permits and the occasions arise, whatever opportunities for assistance that do occur, will be overseen by our VISION 2007 Construction Team. (Return to top)