FUMC Research Task Force Site Visit Report Westminster Presbyterian Church, Alexandria April 14, 2015 General Westminster Presbyterian Church was built in three phases, like Fairlington UMC: original sanctuary in 1942; new sanctuary in 1952; and Education wing in 1965. In addition, a new lobby and elevator were added in 1995. Tour included a walk-through of the entire facility, except for the preschool which was in session. General Observation (see design section for more details): HVAC system and asbestos removal throughout facility were major drivers of their renovation. Sanctuary was key part of renovation. Hardly any changes made to fellowship hall or the kitchen. Footprint for the Sunday school classrooms and most other meeting spaces was not changed during their renovation modifications to these areas were more minor in scope. No additional entranceway changes were made. Westminster never considered leveling the existing structure. Would note that other than main hall entrance to sanctuary, little was done to open up other classroom and meeting room hallways just like our facility, the space is sprawling and a bit fragmented, with numerous floors (3 in one wing, 4 in another). Questions Mission & Values How did your missions and values influence the need for physical renovation/expansion? Main driver of their renovation was the old HVAC system, due to deferred maintenance. No missions or community groups were mentioned as main drivers of the renovation. What steps did you take to achieve congregational consensus about a renovation plan? Showing them the plans and drawings for the project. In what way(s) did you design your facility to further your missions and values? Maintained a space on 4 th floor for Boy Scout troop that had met in facility since 1942. What past or current partnerships influenced your need to redevelop and design your facility? How are these partnerships faring today? 1
How has your renovation/expansion furthered your missions and values and strengthened your partnerships? Main groups that use space were there before, e.g., Boy Scouts, AA meetings, garden club. Have you forged new partnerships due to your expansion/renovation and how have they furthered your missions and values? None mentioned. Design Please walk us through the major renovations made to your facility. What has changed to achieve your current and long term vision? Asbestos: Renovation included complete asbestos abatement throughout the facility, including tearing up the floors. HVAC: New central air system that circulates to sanctuary, classrooms, and main meeting areas. They no longer have any portable air conditioning units in the facility. Sanctuary: Was a major focus area of the renovation, including ripping out the ceiling, enlarging the chancel area, angling the pews, and adding lighting and sound features. This involved taking apart the organ and rebuilding into smaller pipe chest areas due to the chancel redesign, and removing about 4 rows of pews to make room for the larger chancel. Pews were stored during project. Sound acoustics were also important; had an acoustician come in and due testing, and the ceiling redesign was done with acoustics in mind. Custom cabinets built to store bell cases. Windows: Entire facility got new windows. Entrance: One main entrance off parking lot just like Fairlington, and it does not go right into sanctuary. They considered a new entrance way nearer the sanctuary, but instead kept the current configuration. Instead, Westminster created a wider hallway to the sanctuary, a portion of which includes an updated library with open glass. Reception staff was moved into what used to be the old library. Staff Offices: On third floor. Used to be one open area, but during the renovation they created walled offices for staff, including one swing space for volunteers. Fellowship Hall: Only work done was asbestos removal. Kitchen: Only minor changes done. 2
Conference Rooms: Already had two conference rooms (one on top of other on adjoining floors) prior to renovation. During renovation, the spaces had floors carpeted, new paint, and some new acoustic wiring, though the wiring still needs additional updating. Classrooms: No structural changes were made to classrooms, i.e., no walls taken down, nor were hallways changed. All classrooms had asbestos treatment, painting (sometimes by Eagle Scouts or other volunteers), new tile or carpet, new lighting, and storage (some builtins into walls and some custom cabinetry). How did you preserve historic or traditional space while also integrating new, modern spaces that help with special services, meetings, & events? Chapel was maintained, with new carpeting and lighting. Note that Chapel and parlor constitute their original sanctuary. The parlor is large, and has wall built-ins to store tables and chairs. Did you implement or replace outdated systems with modern mechanical or electrical systems? Added new boiler and kept one old boiler; new HVAC system. What AV and communications technology have you implemented in your space? In sanctuary, there is new lighting in the ceiling throughout the nave and chancel, as well as an upgraded speaker system and electric, retractable screen. Speaker system can be heard in the Fellowship Hall and nursery. What special features were included in your design to accommodate community and outside groups? New ramp in main hallway from parking lot to sanctuary. Was parking a consideration for your redevelopment? Parking lot already existed but it had to be resurfaced. What architectural design firms did you interview for your renovation? Who did you select and why? Used Michael T. Foster as architect. They were hired 4-6 years prior to the renovation. What special considerations did you give for accessibility to and within your space beyond what code dictates? Added ramp along central hallway from main parking lot to sanctuary. Financing How did you finance your renovation/expansion? Nearly the entire renovation was financed by members only through a two phase capital campaign. Project cost $5-6 million total. 3
Did you conduct a capital fundraising feasibility study? If so, please explain. Hired two consultants: a) a building use study that involved interviewing many members to determine goals for the renovation; and b) a fundraising consultant to determine the fund raising strategy, which included two capital campaigns one in 2004-2005, and a second one after the renovation to help pay off the loans. The first campaign started before any contracts were signed. Are there any special aspects of your fundraising that you would be willing to share? Westminster has three phone companies that rent space on the property: Sprint (prior to 2005), and AT&T and T-Mobile who entered into discussions about renting space prior to their renovation and began renting in 2010. The City of Alexandria does not allow permits for high structures, so these companies rent space to take advantage of the steeple area to provide cell tower space. AT&T has a large 3-foot pit on a side of the facility for their extensive equipment; the architect designed the enclosure and AT&T paid the cost during the renovation. Income from the rent these phone companies pay goes to a) maintenance reserve fund; b) missions; and c) landscaping. None goes to the operating budget. Did you leverage grant or other funding from local, state, private or other sources? None. Did you encounter any greater economic changes that impacted your timeline? No. Construction What was the projected timeline for construction? Did your project meet this timeline? Were there any unexpected delays? Project lasted from June 2006 until Palm Sunday in 2007. Did you perform your project in stages or all at once? Completed preschool section (including asbestos work) during first 3 months to have it ready for the fall school season in 2006. Also set up a temporary trailer for a staff office that included a ramp, electrical hook up, and portable potty. Were you displaced from your space? If so, did you have temporary facilities or utilize a nearby facility for programming/worship? During project, the church moved out and met either at Agudas Achim synagogue or George Mason Elementary s gymnasium. Did you hire a representative to attend regular construction meetings, monitor progress, review change orders, etc? Three members had authority to sign contract changes of $5,000 or less. Any contract modifications greater than $5,000 had to be approved by Capital Campaign Committee. 4
How did you communicate with your congregation about the status of the project and any significant changes? Members were shown the plans and drawings for the renovation, which helped spur their fundraising efforts. Post-Construction How did you celebrate the opening of your new space with your congregation? Palm Sunday service. Did you develop a master building plan to both ensure upkeep of your facility and plan for future renovations? Yes now have a capital maintenance reserve fund. 5
WIDENED HALLWAY FROM PARKING TO SANCTUARY (library on left): LIBRARY: 6
SANCTUARY CHANCEL: SANCTUARY (note pews were angles during renovation): 7
SANCTUARY CEILING: BELL STORAGE HAND CRAFTED STORAGE UNITS: 8
FELLOWSHIP HALL (only floor redone to remove asbestos): PARLOR: 9
RECEPTIONIST AREA (used to be library/other staff on separate floor): COURTYARD: 10
SWING OFFICE SPACE: BOY SCOUT ROOM: 11
CONFERENCE ROOM: CLASSROOM WITH CABINETRY: 12
CLASSROOM: YOUTH ROOM: 13
YOUTH ROOM #2 14