What's Happening:
The project’s Phase I design development stage was completed in November 2009. The building committee also interviewed five prescreened general contractors on November 11, 2009; and selected Jack Bays, Inc. of McLean, VA; to perform preconstruction services. Barring unforeseen circumstances, it is our intention that they will continue as our general contractor once construction begins.
Jack Bays provided an updated project cost estimate, based upon existing market pricing of our completed design development drawings, in early January 2010. This updated project cost estimate confirmed that our design solution remained within our overall current project cost target and the construction drawings design phase was immediately started in mid-January 2010.
During the construction drawings (CD) design stage we will continue to finalize and further define the selected building systems (mechanical heating and cooling, electrical service entrance, power and lighting distribution, specialized worship center lighting, structural foundation and framing types and materials, audio/video/lighting & acoustical treatments and shaping elements, roofing, exterior building skin materials and textures, plumbing, site lighting, and landscaping plans.) The CD design will also continue to confirm, refine, and define the earlier developed building plans, as necessary, to accommodate the further defined building strcuture and systems, life safety requirements, and project cost budgetary constraints).
Currently, the Phase I building design reflects our original proposed/approved plan for building the new sanctuary lower level/basement area now with its finishing being completed in the future Phase II, unless earlier funding and church approval occurs sooner to include this work as a part of Phase I.
Phase I was planned/designed with the future Phase II in mind and will facilitate easy expansion/incorporation of all Phase II requirements when/as they are approved to proceed in the future.
As we have already selected a general contractor, we will be negotiating their overhead, profit margin, and general conditions costs directly with them. They will be performing an open book competitive bid procurement process for all the project work to be performed by subcontractors.
Currently, bidding market conditions remain very favorable from a cost perspective and most projects are receiving multiple and very competitive subcontractor bids. Construction costs continue to remain depressed from what they were before the economic downturn and it continues to be a very good time from a cost perspective to build. There are some signs that the downward pressures on costs are slowing or stabilizing, but a return to normal upward pressures on costs isn’t expected to occur for sometime based upon current market conditions. As the economy begins to stabilize and climb out of the current economic downturn, upward pricing pressures will begin on both labor and materials. This has already begun to appear on petroleum based products and materials, and attempts for raising prices on other materials are beginning to occur.
Our final site plan resubmission was made to Fairfax County on March 10, 2010 for their review and anticipated approval within the next thirty to sixty days. A complete site plan review by county officials will not be necessary, only review of our proposed solutions to those items forming the basis of their previous disapproval is expected.
Our initial building design permit set was also submitted to Fairfax County on March 10, 2010; with their review, comment, and action expected within the next sixty days or so.
Please pray for prompt approvals of these submissions as they are necessary for the continued progress of our project.
