Calvary Building Updates

As you can see we are in a transition with the parking.  Again please hang in there with us during the next few weeks.

The footers for the building are being dug and poured.  There are four large footers.  Each footer has 720,000 lbs (360 Tons) of concrete plus steel that will be underground.  Here are a couple of footers being built:      

There will be 4 smaller footers in addition to these 4 large footers to anchor the building. 

We are still moving forward.

We are still making good progress with the building project.  However, the next five weeks are going to be the toughest that we will have to deal with during the entire construction project.

The reason is because the small front parking lot and the parking on the left side of the sanctuary as you drive in is being torn out as I write this memo.     These pictures are taken on the front steps of the church from the left door as you drive in. 

So, we would really appreciate everyone being extremely patient during this time.  The Construction Supervisor is working diligently to get us more parking that will add to the new lot that was built in the front as you come in.

Keep praying.

It is happening.  The front parking lot is being paved and we will be able to park on it this Sunday. 

Praise The Lord!

 

All IS WELL! 

Many people have asked if the weather affected the Construction site.  A few small things but nothing that can’t be handled relatively easily.

As most of you know, the contractors only worked Monday of last week because of the weather.  However, today everyone is back on track and many things are happening.

This morning 6 semi truck loads of steel were delivered.  This is the first of three shipments of steel for the Super Structure of the building.     

Last week the metal tile roof was delivered for the building.  This morning the concrete contractor was on site laying out the footers for the building on paper.  It will not be long that you will see him actually digging the footers. 

The trucks are still running loads of crushed concrete and dumping them over the pipes in the underground retention area.     Just to give you an idea of the magnitude of the retention.  425 truck loads of crushed concrete have already been dumped over the pipes and they are currently trucking in another 75 truck loads.  They believe that once these trucks run then they can begin to fill the retention with dirt.  Remember, the back parking lot will go over this retention area.

Speaking of parking lots, it looks like the front parking lot will be paved by this Sunday.  The good news is that we will begin parking in that area for Sundays.  The other news is that before long they will have to tear out the small parking area that is on your left as you enter and begin some construction in that area.  However, the new parking area will have quite a few more spaces than the one they will tear out.

It is very exciting because things are really beginning to move forward now.  However, please be patient because we will have to work around the construction for a while.   It will all be worth it in the end.

Things are moving along nicely.  Florida Power and Light was here on Tuesday and they took down the power lines and put them underground.    This is a picture of the poles after the lines were taken down.  Now the poles are gone and everything is underground.  The paving company is now preparing the parking area for paving.    This is a shot of them putting the front curb in.  The front parking area should be done in a couple of weeks.

  This is an aerial picture of the site that was taken 7-22-08.  It’s pretty incredible.  These shots should be taken every couple of months.

Keep praying and believing.

Next Tuesday August 12th Florida Power and Light will be here to take down the power lines on the new property and put them underground.  After FPL hooks the lines back up from underground the packing and paving of the front parking lot will begin.  The paving should be completed within two weeks after FPL finishes.

The layout of the building will begin to be marked out starting Monday August 18th.  Steel and roofing materials for the building will begin to be delivered within the next couple of weeks.

Sometimes you don’t realize all the work that is truly going on behind the scenes.  However, within a month you will notice a huge amount of progress.  Things are really beginning to take off now.

Everything is now moving forward according to plan.  The infiltration system is almost completely filled with pipe.  Next week they should begin the process of connecting pipes to the system.     

The Electricians moved on site today to begin taking down the power poles that you see to your left when you come in.  All those poles will be removed and the power will go underground so we won’t have poles and lines running over the top of our new parking lot.  Power will also be installed for lighting in the new parking lot.  The goal is to have the front parking lot ready to use within a month.   Here are the Electricians at work:   

The underground infiltration system is still being put in.  It is massive.  I don’t know if the pictures even do it justice.  There ended up being around 450 dump truck loads full of gravel that went into the trench.  There are thousands of feet of pipe.

They are also working diligently to get us some parking up in the front area as you come in the driveway.  The goal is to have that ready to use within a month.

Also, we are getting to the point in the project that we have to deal with people stealing materials and tearing up the site.  Last night someone came in with a pick-up truck and went down in the trench to do donuts and play.  Their playing cost us around $ 3000 - $ 4000 because of all the stuff they tore up.   We are working so hard to pay for this project that the last thing we need is for things like this to happen.  So, pray that the thieves and the destroyers stay away or at least that we can catch them.

   

Praise the Lord!  We are back at work!

The new piping that was ordered for the City Water issue has now been installed and that issue has been solved.

The new infiltration system is now being installed as well.  I’ve attached some pictures so you can see how massive this trench is.  They are currently bringing in around 150 - 200 dump truck loads full of gravel as the base of this system.  It is amazing to see.