Building Committee

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.  Who is currently on the Building/Fundraising Committee?

• Richard Shahtanian, Chairman
• Joseph Almasian
• Armen Jeknavorian
• Jimmy Apovian
• Sarkis Sarkisian
• Michael Boloian
• Paul Demoorjian
• Rose Soghigian
• Armena Bizios
• Sossy Jeknavorian
• John Dagdigian
• Armen Kourkounian

2.  Why are we no longer building a new Church and now renovating the existing structure?

• The cost of building a new structure at the time the original project was undertaken was approximately $2M.  In today’s dollars, the cost would be in excess of $4M.  We have been unable to raise the necessary funds to meet that goal and consequently, nothing has been done to the existing structure.  Our facilities have continued to deteriorate over the years as well as cost us significant money to maintain.  The Committee has looked at the feasibility of building a new sanctuary and has determined that a Church of our size is not capable of raising $4M

3.  Who will be managing this project?

• The project will be managed by the Building/Fundraising Committee in conjunction with the Board of Trustees.  We are currently looking at the possibility of using the architect as a construction manager for the renovation.  Having a Construction Manager rather than a General Contractor allows the Committee greater flexibility to manage the budget and proposed renovations.  Using this approach will allow us to utilize contractors that are friends of the church or to rely on members that have relationships with contractors that might be willing to work for a discounted fee.  Using a General Contractor will not allow us this flexibility.

Listed below is a simple chart, which compares the project cost for using a Construction Manager and a General Contactor. 

*Note that the total cost of the project listed in this example is an estimated figure

4.  What are the plans to raise the funds needed for the renovation?

• We must collect unpaid pledges; seek new pledges from the community at large and from outside sources.

5.  What is the plan for collecting the existing pledges?

• A new subcommittee is currently being created to address collection of outstanding pledges in addition to reaching out the to community for new pledges and outside sources. 

6.  Fundraising for this project has not always been easy.  What strategies will the committee employ for this to be successful?

• Although the cost of the renovation is still likely to be over $1M, our approach this time will be to renovate in phases, depending on the money we raise and the priorities of the structural and cosmetic issues.  This will allow us to raise the necessary resources over a period of time.  We plan to obtain all the pledges from the community within 6 months of forming the Fund Raising Committee for Phase 1 of the project.  Furthermore, the structure of this committee is that both the Building and Fundraising aspects are under one umbrella in conjunction with the Board of Trustees working towards one common goal.

7.  What is the actual dollar amount that has been collected so far, and what is the outstanding pledge amount?

• Approximately $275K has been collected so far.  There are outstanding pledges of $150K.  However, the committee has determined that a substantial amount of this money is not collectible for various reasons.

8.  How much money will need to be raised?

•  At this time, the total project is estimated to cost approximately $1,250,000. The hall is Phase 1 and is estimated to cost $500,000 and the Church is Phase 2 and is estimated to cost $750,000. Since we are utilizing a phased approach to this project, we need to raise $500,000 to start and complete Phase 1.  However, this amount is subject to change depending upon the following factors:
  
  • The amount of the existing funds we decide to allocate to the hall renovation
    
  • The cost of the required structural improvements to the Church which must be addressed immediately
    
  • The number of modifications made to the architect's design and various other savings the Committee may utilize to reduce the cost of $500,000 to a target goal of under  $400,000

9.  What is the plan for the renovation?

• Our first priority is to repair the structural issues in our sanctuary. Work will immediately begin in shoring up the walls, ceiling and roof of the sanctuary.  In addition we are investigating the cause of the water problems in the basement and will be repairing them right away.  These two projects are of the utmost priority.

• The design will be broken down into two large phases - One being the sanctuary, the other being the hall.  The committee has currently charged the architect to provide the design documentation for the renovation of each of these structures incorporating as many of the original designs from the previous plans.  The current agreement with the architect allows the committee to incorporate as many of his suggested designs or to reduce the scope of his recommendations based on our preferences and cost restrictions.

10.  How will we address the existing infrastructure needs of the building (heating, plumbing, etc.)?

• In a phased approach we have the ability to implement suggested designs provided by the architect for both the hall and the sanctuary.  This phased approach allows us to incorporate infrastructure changes in a timely manner such as heating, plumbing, electrical, etc. 

11.  How long do we expect for this project to take?

• Your Committee is unable to answer this question because the length of time this project takes is contingent upon the results of the fundraising efforts and our individual financial contributions.

12.  Will we be able to start the entire project at one time?

• This will not be possible, as the renovations will be done in phases.

13.  Will we be able to use the facilities during the project?

• Since this will be done in phases, we will be able to use the facilities in a more limited capacity depending on what phase is under construction.

14.  How much has been invested to date in architectural designs and fees? 

• $5000 was paid from the Church operating funds for work that was performed approximately 10 years ago
• In November of 2002 the prior Fund Raising Committee paid approx $2500 for the rendition of the Church
• Currently the Building Committee has paid $7500 and is committed to pay an additional $7500 upon completion of future drawings and plans
• Upon meeting our current obligation with the Architect, we are not committed to pay him for any additional fees. 

15.  As a parishioner, how can I help the Building/Fundraising Committee?

• Please provide us with any contacts that you might have in the construction business that you feel would be willing to help the church.  We have the ability to choose which vendors we will work with under the construction management model.  Most importantly, remember that without your love for this Church and your financial commitment, it will be more difficult to see this project through to its completion.

16.  How will the Building Committee communicate plans to the Community in the future?

• As soon as the Committee agrees upon a final plan and design for renovating the hall as well as the cost, it will then seek the support of the Board of Trustees.  The Board of Trustees will then announce a special meeting and a detailed presentation of Phase 1 will be provided to the membership. 

17.  What happens if we do not collect enough money to carry out the wishes of the membership?

• We would need to scale the project back to fit our budget, get the work done and then give thanks and celebrate our success, honoring all those who made it possible.