Building Expansion

Expansion

As a certified GreenSanctuary committed to "respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part" and as a community with a strong social justice mission committed to "respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every person, "we recognize the immense impact and opportunity that a large building project can have on the environment and the human community both near and far and into the future.

Therefore the membership, leadership, Architecture, Construction and Engineering Committee, and Project Management Team of UUS:E agree that the expansion project should:

be a socially and environmentally responsible design and process.
proivde long term as well as immediate benefits to the human community, the local ecology and the larger environment of which we are a part.
use sustainable and regenerative materials, methods and technology to the fullest extent possible at this time.
provide accessibility to all of our programming and all parts of the building and grounds through the principles of universal design so that everyone can benefit.
put into proctice our principles of social justice by, when possible, dealing with companies that pay a living wage and hire minoriiteis or people with previous welfare or prison records.
work with socially and environmentally responsible businesses that are owned locally, and/or by women or minorities where possible.
manage the process of building to minimize the impact on the enviornment, including selling, gifting, reusing or recycling all left over materials from new construction and deconstruction to the greatest extent possible.
use the LEED building standard as a guide to meeting thes goals, and achieve to the highest reasonable level.
proceed with full awareness that what we are doing will be an example to others and a major statement of "faith in action" to the wider community.
encourage creative thinking to keep the economics of the project within the budget while adhering to the above guiding principles.

Building Expansion Project

The Building Project report this
month is full of good news.

First. We want you to know that during
the last month the Architect Engineering
and Construction Committee (ACE) has
continued to meet with members of the Project
Executive Committee (PEC) to select
building professionals for our project. As of
May 21 we are in a position to select from
two choices, one team consisting of an architectural
firm, engineers and a construction
company. The selection process has required
many hours of work as we narrowed
the field from the thirteen who had been
grouped into three tiers. We interviewed the
top tier of five (one firm dropped out) and
then narrowed the field again to our two tops
choices. We have interviewed again the top
architects and their teams of engineers and
construction managers. Each of these firms
has the background, training and desire to do
our job well.

Second. The selected building team
(architect, engineers and construction people)
will conduct a feasibility study which
will ensure cost containment from the beginning
of the project to its conclusion. We
know from experience that early and continuing
insight into costs will lead to good
cost control. The team will also be exploring
the interrelationship between renovation
and expansion.

Third. At this point we hope to have a
building plan proposal ready by the middle
to the end of September. At an informational
meeting we will be presenting the plan
so that the congregation is ready to look at it
carefully during the Congregational Meeting
currently scheduled for November 1.
Finally, more material will be added to the
Web site shortly.

We need your participation. We need your
insight and your questions. We hope you are
as pleased as we are about moving ahead.
Together we can make our building dreams
reality. Please speak to PEC committee
members as we move along this path.
Nancy Lister, Project Communications

Project Executive Committee, May 21, 2008

UUS:E Search for Building Project Professional Help.

View Expansion Priorities List

Last Updated June 17, 2008