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The proposed cost for this work was given by the architects as $550,000. At the meeting I proposed the amount for execution of the work to be $650,000. The architect and design fees came to around $54,000; however, this cost was covered by a bequest to the parish from Mark Cummings and the monies left to the building fund in memory of Jim Allen. At the diocese’s direction, we are to take from our investments to pay for this project rather than trying to secure a loan (in the banking world, a challenging proposal for a church entity). At and after the meeting, I received no pushback on the project or the money to be spent.
In the past few weeks, as the subcontractor bids came in, the price skyrocketed to over $1,000,000. After hearing of the new cost, I held a joint meeting of the Parish and Finance Councils. This is beyond the means of Holy Spirit at this time; it is not fiscally responsible to take that much out of our investments. At that meeting it was decided that the priorities of the parish are:
- The purchase and installation of the air conditioner condenser on the canopy.
- The sealing and landscaping of the current concrete condenser pad.
- Dealing with the water issues in the boiler/electrical room.
I presented these priorities to DS Architecture and Independence Construction, the general contractor. After several meetings, we were able to adjust the scope of the project and were able to get the costs down below the $650,000 threshold presented at the parish meeting.
This means that presently the air-conditioner unit will be moved to the top of the canopy and we will landscape where the current unit now sits, including adding a sidewalk. Delayed will be both the refurbishing of the carport (updating of the lighting, and stucco work) and adding the façade on top of the carport canopy.
At this time, it is estimated that to complete the project as originally planned we would need an additional $300,000 to $400,000. That part of the project will be deferred until the renovations of the Holy Spirit church building, which is planned to happen within the next five years.
I am, with many of you, disappointed by the developments of the last few weeks. I thought that the project in its original scope solved the issues of providing a new air-conditioner condenser unit, fixing the water issues, and adding beauty to the Holy Spirit property. At this point though, we need to adjust the timing of our plans. Replacing the current 55+ years-old A/C (which broke down several times last summer and I do not expect will make it through another summer) and fixing the water issues in the boiler-electrical room take priority. On a positive note, we should see an energy savings and an increased reliability from a modern A/C unit.
I thank you for your support of Holy Spirit Parish and ask for your continued prayers as we go forward with this project.
In Christ,
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