Capital Campaign News
April 27 — Floor plans unveiled
From: The Building Dreams Committee
Phil Roudebush and Stan Williams, co-chairs, Sue Rothschild, Beth Forester, David Schaeffer, Melanie Kitchner, Jane Newman, Grace McMillan and Lisa Schwartz (ex officio)
Two floor plans were presented to the congregation today (attached) and a list of features and benefits of both are written below. About 40 of us gathered for a presentation by Architect One president Michael Wilson -- and many questions were raised and answered.
Click to view PDF of Plan A, Plan B
Easels of the site plan, floor plans, and elevation plans are at The Fellowship for you to review. Committee members will be available between and/or after both services May 4 and there will be a meeting after the 11am service May 11th.
Please look at the plans and send questions or comments to us at bdreams@uuft.org by May 12th. Thank you and have a great week.
Floor Plan A – Features and Benefits
RE Rooms
Total = 8
New rooms (Class rooms 1 to 5)
Emerson room (Class room 6) – this could be modified as space for adult RE, conference room, library, choir practice area, etc.
Two rooms in annex
Two new bathrooms in RE wing
Easier access from RE wing to annex and playground
Office Space
New office space for DLRE & administrative assistant clustered with current Minister’s office
New Entry Hall
New entrances from east & west parking lots with vestibules into a new entry hall, which will provide an improved, welcoming space for people to congregate before and after services, meetings, etc.
Designated space for coffee area (10 linear feet) to move that function from kitchen (would include coffee machine, hot water, cups, sink, dishwasher, etc.)
Kitchen
Enlarged slightly with more useable space
Coffee and gathering functions moved to new entry hall
Pass-through eliminated for better sound control
Rest Rooms
Current rest rooms by entrance will be remodeled as enlarged women’s bathroom
New men’s restroom south of kitchen
Fellowship Hall
Slight increase in functional size (+10% to 15% seating) since bulletin boards, tables, etc will be moved to entry hall. Improved people flow into and out of hall.
Add small amount storage space to current store room
Outside
Increased curb appeal with exterior features to tie together existing and new building
Plan allows for future site of new formal space/sanctuary with access to entry hall
Floor Plan B – Features and Benefits
RE Rooms
Total = 7
New rooms (Class rooms 1 to 5)
Two rooms in annex
Two new bathrooms in RE wing
Easier access from RE wing to annex and playground
Office Space
New office space for Minister, DLRE and administrative assistant will be in current Emerson room
New Entry Hall
Similar to Plan A
Kitchen
Similar to Plan A
Rest Rooms
Similar to Plan A
Fellowship Hall
Overflow/Multipurpose room would be added where offices are located in Plan A. This would provide additional space when needed during Sunday morning services, meetings and other events. However, a moveable wall or partition would exist between the current Fellowship Hall and this room making noise control difficult. This would also eliminate use of the Emerson room as a classroom or conference room.
Added storage space in current minister’s office
Outside
Similar to Plan A
March 22, 2008 — Steering Committee Meeting
The Steering Committee for the Capital Campaign for the Building met at 8 am on 3/22/08. The Steering committee’s purpose is to communicate, coordinate, encourage support and brainstorm with each other.
Members of the of Steering Committee present, Mike Wilson. Martin Weishaar, Duane Johnson, Phil Roudebush, Joanne Roudebush, Beth Foerster, Janine Silsby. Lisa Schwartz is sick, and all send encouraging wishes for a speedy recovery.
Mike opened with the elephant analogy reminder.
Fundraising Committee
Janine and Duane, Fundraising Committee report: The Capital Campaign currently stands at $376,590 with 41 pledge responses in. We had 108 pledge units for 2008 pledge year. Janine and Duane are working with gift facilitators. We are deeply grateful for every effort and all gifts. Goal to get all pledges in by end of March. Pledge report to be given this Sunday by Joanne and Phil.
Building Committee report by Phil: Recommendation to hire Architect One to Board, which unanimously approved. Will meet with Mike Wilson as representative of Architect One and work on formal agreement, which Board President Elect (Beth Foerster) will sign, not Mike. Looking at the Scope of Work, we may need to do prioritizing, we have more in desired Scope of Work than it is looking like may be ultimately raised.
Recommendation by the committee to Board included comments on discussion of conflict of interest with Architect One. Discussed at Board meeting and read a statement that came from Building Dreams, Board didn’t think it was an issue. Communication via emails last week among committee members with some concerns for further clarity of the issue. Seems to be understanding that the concern was brought to Board and Board decided not an issue due to process in place to prevent conflict of interest. On March 30, 10 am a forum will be available for questions about Building with update, communication about the process, and about any other issues - to be held between the services.
Treasurer report: Capital Campaign funds: short term investment managing $53,000 in the bank and $50,000 in 3 month CD 3.8 percent, through Edward Jones, great CD rate.
Next meeting goals: Campaign should be complete. Meeting to be April 19, 8 am Classic Bean. Announcement planned on April 20 to UUFT - we will know what our fundraising level will be, and comfort level on financing opportunities, with at least 2 financial institutions proposals working with Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer.
Mar. 12, 2008 — Architect Selected
On March 12th, the UUFT Board unanimously approved the recommendation of the Building Dreams Committee to hire the firm of Architect One for the upcoming building project. On behalf of Architect One, Mike Wilson made a formal presentation to the Building Dreams Committee on February 26th about the capabilities of the firm and examples of their projects in the Topeka community and greater Kansas.
After a detailed discussion, the Committee voted unanimously on March 4th to make a recommendation to the Board to hire the firm.
Some details about Architect One that supported the unanimous decision:
· Licensed in 20 states
· Office is located at 3500 SW Fairlawn, with easy access to the Fellowship
· Currently employs nine individuals with several architects, technical and support staff. The firm is large enough to have expertise for the project but small enough so that the Fellowship's needs will not be overlooked.
· Mike Wilson of the Fellowship is President of the firm and understands the UUFT's unique situation and needs.
· Several recent projects have been completed by the firm, which include both new construction and renovated additions. Examples include TARC, Kansas Auto Dealers Association, Kansas Grain Inspection Service, Heritage Bank, Topeka High School gymnasium, several electric power cooperatives (Kansas Electric Coop, Kaw Valley Electric Coop, Heartland Rural Electric Coop in Gerard, Sedgwick County Coop and Westar Energy Service Center in Lawrence), and several churches (Western Hills Baptist, Clay Center Baptist, UU Fellowship of Manhattan, First Southern Baptist, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Fellowship Bible). The outcomes of these projects show that Architect One has the expertise to meet needs and dreams.
· Unsolicited comments from a minister at one of the recent church projects managed by Architect One had high praise for Mike and the firm.
· Involved with LIED (Leadership in Energy Design) certification for the Westar Energy Center, which gives them an understanding of "green" principles.
Because Mike is a member of the congregation and is currently President of the UUFT Board, the Building Dreams Committee and Board discussed possible conflicts of interest in selecting Architect One for the project. Both the Committee and Board feel that this is not an issue. After making his presentation to the Committee, Mike was not involved in subsequent discussions, votes or recommendations. At the Board meeting, Mike excused himself and was not part of the discussion or vote. The Committee feels comfortable that Mike can wear multiple hats and keep the best interests of UUFT at the forefront of all decisions. All subsequent planning will be transparent to everyone in the Fellowship, and the Committee looks forward to members' comments and input to the final design.
(Contributed by Phil Roudebush, Building Dreams Committee Co-Chair)
Jan. 13, 2008 — Congregation Votes Unanimously to Launch Campaign
On Sunday, January 13, 2008 the assembled members of the Fellowship voted 71 to 0 to launch a capital campaign to fund new building construction.
Board president Mike Wilson described the process that had unfolded over many years to decide whether the Fellowship was ready to present the matter to the congregation. An encouraging report from a consulting firm (see adjacent story) was presented, along with a concept illustration of how the building project might culminate.
The meeting was followed on January 19 by a meeting of the UUFT Building Expansion Steering Committee.
Click here to download minutes as PDF
Scope of Work for Renovation and Expansion
Click the link below to download the MS Word document, "Scope of Work for Renovation and Expansion of Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka, February 2008."
Click here to download Scope of Work document in PDF format
Feasibility Study for Capital Campaign
A report was commissioned by UUFT from the Topeka-based consultant group Partners in Philanthropy, Inc. The intended purpose of the report is to provide feedback from the Fellowship’s membership and friends regarding its plan to expand and/or remodel its current facility. The Report was presented to the Board at its meeting on Wed, Dec 19th, 2007. The Report will be the basis for the a special Congregational Meeting to be held at 12:15pm on Sunday, January 13, 2008. A limited number of hard copies also will be available at the meeting for those members who do not have internet access. Questions regarding the Report should be directed to Mike Wilson (see contact link below). The names of members interviewed for the report and survey participants have been deleted for reasons of confidentiality.
Download Feasibility Study for Capital Campaign (PDF)