Fellowship Hall Project

Work In March

2010-05-04T11:02:00.002-04:00

During the last two weeks of March, the Property Committee, under the direction of a local contractor, Percy Yeratt, proceeded with additional demolition around the windows in an attempt to discover the extent of termite damage. A few materials were purchased for use in beginning to reconstruct the damaged window framing. At the same time, the windows were examined closely to determine the reasons for the difficulties experienced in closing and locking them. Then, during the hot weather of early April, the normal season for termite swarming, we experienced swarming on the 6th street side of the Fellowship Hall windows including the window in the stairwell leading to the Narthex. All of this was to be expected, given past history. However, more distressingly was the discovery of significant infestation in the kitchen wall behind the sink and in the yard implements utility room on the east side.

At this point, we must perform some demolition work in the kitchen wall behind the sink, continue with further demolition work in the Fellowship Hall, remove/replace/relocate leaking condensate piping, address leaking foundation cracks and floor tile buckling issues, treat for termites and rebuild.

What Issues In The Fellowship Hall are of concern?

2010-04-27T10:24:00.002-04:00

- Termite damage in wood in window framing, wood lathe behind plaster walls, and in wall behind sinks in kitchen.
-Current design and installation of interior walls conducive to termite breeding and infestation and difficulty in treating for termites.
-Cracks in concrete foundation walls below ground level.
-Leaking in deteriorated condensate piping.
-Wood rot due to pipe leaks and foundation cracks.
-Structural integrity of windows. Difficult to open/close. Out of square.
-Poor water drainage around exterior of Fellowship Hall due to improper grading and leaks in gutters.
-Tile flooring deteriorating.
-Asbestos removal.
-Electrical service requires upgrading.

A Little History About the Project

2010-04-22T13:06:00.000-04:00

Many will recall that last Spring we experienced a plague of swarming termites in the Fellowship Hall windows, the north wall of the Hall and the window in the stairwell on the 6th street side leading to the Narthex. The exterminator was called in and, after inspection, asked that we do some demolition in an attempt to determine the extent of the infestation and to allow him better access to areas behind and under the windows. Several men of the church subsequently removed the paneling to expose the areas behind the outer walls and under the windows. Afterwards, the exterminator was called back in to apply treatment.
With the demolition we also discovered cracks in the foundation and leaks in the steam condensate piping. In addition, as most know, the tile flooring is buckling for unknown reasons. Because of these issues we began thinking in terms of a general modernization of the Fellowship Hall.
To address these issues, the Property Committee developed a Scope of Work document (Request for Proposal) and provided such to interested contractors. It was hoped that at least three bids could be obtained for presentation to the congregation, Trustees, and Church Council. Unfortunately, only one detailed, comprehensive bid was received. Over the course of the ensuing months, other contractors suggested by members of the church were invited to look at the work, make suggestions, and offer bids. This process generally did not result in potential solutions for which we were seeking.
Adding to our considerations were the ongoing needs of the Church and its activities such as Vacation Bible School, meetings, and meals. Also, the advent of the heating season meant we could not perform any of the required plumbing work.
In view of the lack of contractor bids, the Property Committee decide to, in effect, act as our own general contractor, perform those tasks for which we were capable, and sub-contract out those elements where we required outside expertise. To that end, we have performed additional demolition, cleaning up after each session, and hauling refuse to the dump.

2010-04-21T16:02:00.000-04:00

Read here regularly for updates on the progress of the Fellowship Hall project at First United Methodist Church.