Jackson Street News #2

23 Apr 2008 / Dave / 130jax

It’s been over a year since our last web update, and though it may not look like it, a lot has been going on. We have received an official set of plans pro bono from Spectrum PC, one of the best architecture firms in Virginia. The founders are the dads of nlcf members and a few of the employees are nlcf alumni. They are the third architects we’ve worked with on the project, and apparently the charm. In addition, we have received structural analysis from three different engineers, gotten bids from half a dozen contractors, and gone through the meticulous approval process of the town.

As we’ve delved into the world of code compliance on a 60 year old building, we’ve seen our costs nearly triple from the original estimates before we signed the lease. The AC system needs to be doubled, the bathrooms need to be doubled, and the entire building needs to have a sprinkler system installed. As pricey as these items are, the place will be even better than we had anticipated and even more people can fit in it for all kinds of events from Apex to Esperanza yard sales to rock shows. With all that we’re spending, we want the place to be used heavily.

So how can you help?

I’ve been itching to swing a sledge hammer on this thing for nearly two years, but the town code insists that even the grunt work can only be done by a licensed contractor. We’re all safer that way. They know what they’re doing. Many people have wanted to volunteer to help with the work and we may do some painting and other final finishes, but that will be a while. For now, if you want to make the biggest impact on the project, plan on getting the best-paying summer job you can find and/or give generously! The major costs are for the technical things that none of us would know how to do anyway. Providing our own grunt work wouldn’t really save much money or time.

You can also pray for the costs and time to be less than expected and the finished product to be even better than expected. This building is not just for us, it’s for the campus, the town, and in a lot of ways, the world. It’s for people. It’s for God. It’s peace. It’s for reconciliation. It’s for fun! Pray for all our delay leading up to this point to finalize rapidly and in just the right way.

Thanks for being interested and check back here through the summer for more updates.

Is there general excitement for the name Jax?

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