Capital Project Update – Sept 2020

Jayme Trott and Susan Vigilante, Co-Chairs, Capital Campaign/Project

The Capital Project Steering Committee (Jayme Trott, Susan Vigilante, George Faulkner, Mary Acciani, Steve Saddlemire, Farzad Shadzik, and Susan Irgang) have been extremely busy this month! We received final drawings from the architect and MEP (Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing) engineer. Although we are satisfied with the architectural drawings, the MEP engineer did not provide requested calculations or incorporate the changes we asked him to make. After extensive analysis by Mary, Lee (Schofer) and Steve, the Steering Committee agreed the MEP design (especially the HVAC) needs to be redone to ensure we end up with a facility that meets our comfort needs. We hope to identify a new MEP engineer soon and proceed as follows:

  • Complete the new MEP design by October 15, 2020
  • Solicit GC bids by November 1, 2020
  • Complete township permitting by December 1, 2020
  • Groundbreaking likely to be in early Spring 2021

We received a formal response to our PSE&G service upgrade application. Good news – we will probably not require an upgrade. They are satisfied that we have sufficient service; this represents a significant cost savings in contrast to what the MEP engineer proposed.

We met with MJ Hansen regarding technology and communications needs that should be incorporated into the plans for expansion. We will be reaching out to PHC Toys-AV (a company in Ewing that specializes in audio/video/“smart home integration”) and with Verizon specifically regarding WiFi needs.

Finally, we had a Zoom meeting with Shila Griffith, our design consultant, who presented options for finish colors and materials. The next step is to meet with her onsite at the church for in-person viewing of material samples.

Thank you so very much to all who have pledged and are continuing to pay their Capital Campaign pledges!