Special Project Committee for Campus Renovation – March 2020 Report

As all have heard through Fr Bill’s recent communication that we continue to live-streaming worship services while still conforming with Governor Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order. That is not the only thing that continues at Christ Church Cranbrook during these unprecedented times. There are virtual meetings taking place every day on the staff and church committee level; Facebook and the website are available for everyone to keep in touch and interact with one another through virtual classes and activities. One committee that has been hard at work for quite some time is the Special Project Committee for Campus Renovation. We would like to give you a summary and an update on the committee as we continue our role (albeit, virtually) in the campus construction project. Please keep safe, healthy and engaged!

Mollie Proctor, Special Projects Congregational Committee Co-chair

Since 2017 Christ Church Cranbrook has embarked on a bold strategy to enhance and expand its campus so that it could better fulfill its mission of meeting Jesus, finding Joy, sharing Beauty and serving Others. The need to increase our multipurpose space, classrooms and meeting space was identified as paramount if we were to continue to accommodate Little Lambs early childhood education center and our growing programs in children, youth and adult education.

A conceptual renovation plan was developed and a planning and feasibility study was conducted to determine the viability of a Capital Campaign to support the plan. Because of the positive results of the study, in 2019 the Vestry approved moving forward with the Capital Campaign, From Our Founding to Our Future. To find out more about the Capital Campaign visit our webpage.

In November 2019, the Vestry appointed a Special Project Committee (SPC) that brought together representation from all the committees and ministries that will play an integral role in the campus expansion construction project. The SPC is advisory in nature and works through the Vestry and the Rector. In summary:

The work of the Special Project Committee is facilitative. The scope of the campus expansion project is large and the breadth of the project weighs in on all the committee members’ work.
The work is inclusive. Relevant expertise has been drawn upon to help accomplish the work that is to be done.
The Committee works with transparency. Dialogue and open meetings are being created in order to listen and inform through the duration of the Project.

Special Project Committee Update

The full SPC membership has been actively pursuing its purpose since its inception, and meets approximately twice a month to coordinate and discuss subcommittee activities and plans. There are five sub-committees which report up through the main committee. There is a great deal of energy in this committee and it will be reporting to you through a number of mediums to keep you informed on the excitement surrounding our program building and campus renovation project. This first message is to give you an overview of each sub-committee and their progress to date.

Congregational Communications

Chair: Mollie Proctor & Marc Robinson

Liaison with the Campaign Continuation Committee on activities regarding the Project with the goal to keep the congregation informed at all relevant stages. To date we have:

Confirmed our committee membership consisting of the chairs, Sarah Buckley, Rob Carrigan, Fr Bill, Jim Goran, Fr Chris and Drew Wagner
Created a trifold introducing the Special Project Committee which will be available throughout the church and online
A Project pop-up exhibit will be set-up with representatives available to answer questions

Budget and Financing

Chair: Jim Goran

Compiles the Project budget and tracks all finance activity to include but not be limited to expenses, pledge projections and other funding. Committee members are Fr Bill, Rick David, Steven Huprich, Gina Morgan, Mark Peters, Marc Robinson, Jim Trask and Peter Webster. Liaison representation with Finance. To summarize:

A master file for tracking the Project financing is being maintained
To date pledges of $1.9 million have been received
Pledge receipts are being kept liquid in short-term, interest bearing investments

Construction Matters

Chair: Mark Peters

Responsible for investigating, preparing RFPs for engagement, interviewing and making recommendations for key services needed for the construction (architect, owner’s advocate, construction manager, etc.). Committee members include Alex Bogaerts, Fr Bill, Jim Goran, Kris Guccione, Steven Huprich, Gina Morgan, Brian Neeper, and Brian Sarver. Liaison with Buildings & Grounds. Highlights to date:

Finalize the contract with the architect, Alex Bogaerts
Determining the process for needed support consultants
Obtaining updated construction costs as we enter the project phase
Interviewing and recommend an Owner’s Advocate to represent CCC’s interest and facilitate in all activities relating to the design process, bidding and construction.
Submitting site approval plans to the City of Bloomfield Hills

Relocation

Chair: Steven Huprich

Charged with locating appropriate temporary space for staff, programs and Little Lambs during construction. Members include Jill Bednas, Kate Bell, Fr Bill, Steven Huprich, Gina Morgan, Mollie Proctor and Brian Sarver. Children and Youth will be kept up to date. Update:

With Vestry’s approval we contracted with Mark Bowman as the Church’s leasing agent representative
Required temporary space needs was determined and shared with Mark Bowman
The committee had a site visit to the former Detroit Country Day School building; Mark has a list of potential properties that he is exploring lease costs and availability

Interior Selection

Chair: Bill Johnson

Works with the Project interior designer on all matters relevant to the finishes for the existing interior space of the Church. Committee members are Jill Bednas, Kate Bell, Pat Gahman, Kristen Goran, Kerry Malczewski, Gina Morgan and Molly Thomas. Liaisons with Art Works. The committee has met with Molly Thomas the interior designer and:

Reviewed the layout of the new and redesigned space to consider flooring and wall covering
Recommended using porcelain tile flooring in the community space
Has selected recommendations for carpet and wall covering for educational and office space
Will continue to work with Molly and other stakeholders on the final finishings

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Click here to read the entire Special Project Committee report to the February Vestry meeting.

We encourage everyone to contact the Chair of the Special Project Committee or of any of the sub-committees in conversation with committee members at any time.

The Special Project Committee is dedicated to being transparent and inclusive. There will be regular communication with you. We will create space for dialogue and seek to listen to as many voices as possible. Look for our pop-up kiosk coming soon. We will hold open meetings covering developments throughout the project to keep everyone informed and provide opportunities for input. There is much to do before we break ground. Contracts, reviews, permits and final approvals must be obtained before first shovel.

Thank you. We should all be very proud of this accomplishment and the transformational affect our campus improvement will have on our Church and our ability to fulfill our Mission.

Have questions about the Capital Campaign project? Feel free to contact Mark Peters, the Chair of the Special Project Committee, or any members of the Sub-committees to engage in further conversation. Click here for more information around the Special Projects Committee and its structure.