Week of 4/15-4/19/2024
The highlights and low lights of the past week included the painting efforts of the GRAMPS (highlight) and the heavy rain on Tuesday (low point).
There has not been a subcontractor within the context of this project that has been more prompt that the group of men that have volunteered to paint. A big shout-out to those individuals who have really put themselves out to keep other subcontractors on their schedule. Lead by Joe Jackson, the group includes Bill Hentges on the sprayer, taping, rolling, and brushing by Bruce Denney, Dennis Grabowski, Don Hiltner, Johnny Tillery, and Lloyd Wang.
The low point was the heavy rain inflicting interior flood conditions on the narthex and the ladies restroom. The culprit was the lack of watertight junctions between the existing roof and the new entry. The blessing of good construction weather throughout the Winter was washed away in a single downpour on Tuesday.
The kitchen is really coming close to completion with cabinets and tiled floor installed. This next week should see the installation of the remaining upper cabinets, sinks and countertops and appliances along with ceiling tiles. The week after next it should be ready for occupancy.
The day care addition is not too far behind the kitchen in completion. Finishes like cabinetry and plumbing fixtures and doors will be installed in the next two weeks. The driveway and parking area will start next week. The exterior will show its final color next week. All this activity leads to an expected completion of May 15th.
Week of 4/1-4/5/2024
If there was ever a week within this project that we could claim was transformational, this has to be the one. At least to this date. If you missed it, the sanctuary was the focus of a lot of attention. The knotty pine wall adorning the west exposure was removed, windows have been cut into the north wall, now hiding behind covered scaffolding, and each of the other block walls have some sort of new coverings from insulation to plastic sheeting to sheetrock. An amazing pace! But that’s not all; work has continued throughout the building.
The day care has windows and all the sheetrock installed and taping is underway. The kitchen has all the sheetrock installed and it is all mudded and taped. The electricians have pulled wires and the GRAMPS have painted the first coat. The entry has seen the installation of what the entrance slab will be. More framing has progressed on walls that define the restrooms. Plumbing continues throughout the same restrooms.
Work that cannot be seen from ground level has been underway on the roof. New roof top units were installed over the day care addition and the gas lines supplying them were installed.
It was a milestone week!
Week of 3/25 to 3/29/2024
The biggest snowfall of the season fell overnight causing calls for snow days in schools, including locally and for the Seeds of Grace. It also resulted in a slow down of activity on our project.
The day care addition had interior door frames grouted, completion of duct insulation, and window frames wrapped for waterproofing.Holes for heat/AC ducts were cut in the wall that separates the addition from the existing pre-K.
Efforts in the kitchen included the door frame grouting, sheet rocking of the kitchen walls, insulation of the water supply lines and additional electrical conduit runs.
Activity on the entry included the last of steel support connections made from new to the existing building. Framing of exterior walls was started.
Work was suspended during the periods of afternoon services, respecting the Holy Week.
Week of 3/18 to 3/22/2024
We did not experience significant visible changes to the building this past week. Instead it was the small things, many that will be buried in walls and ceilings that made up the bulk of the efforts.
The day care addition had door frames installed, ducts insulated, and sprinkler piping installed. Painting has been delayed by a couple of weeks while we wait for the installation of window frames.
Efforts in the kitchen included the furring of the kitchen walls, a wall installed that will separate the kitchen from a storage room and plumbing for sinks and dishwashers.
Steel in the entry area is about 85% complete. The last of the roof decking should arrive soon as should the last steel brackets need for attaching to the existing building. Posts have been installed for the roof unit enclosure. Wall framing will begin next week.
Week of 3/11 to 3/15/2024
The entry has changed dramatically this past week. First the floor slab was prepped and poured creating a mud free work platform for further efforts. Secondly, the structural steel arrived and was promptly erected. It is almost as though we have planted the flag and declared that this place is ours and we are going to make it into something big. A lot of electrical efforts have been underway this past week.
Most of it is hidden in conduits so the evidence isn’t obvious to the eye. Included is wiring for the alarm system that coordinates with the fire sprinklers and the other is wiring pulling within the sanctuary and the day care addition. The plumbers tore into the kitchen this past week and trenched routes for the drainage system. It all passed the testing and has now been backfilled. The space is ready for the floor to be restored and the wall prep to begin. Additionally, two older doors that are no longer needed were booked off, literally.
Work continues in the daycare addition with doors cut in for the entrance hallway and for the toddler access, sheetrock installation is near complete and it is expected that painting will happen next week. New appliances for the kitchen have been identified and the order is being processed. Recall that we are nearly doubling the size of the room and consequently we are adding additional equipment.
Week of 3/4 to 3/8/2024
The obvious area of work is the new front entrance. As you walked into church this past week you would have noticed the beginning of the new bathrooms. Not real obvious as it was just the underground plumbing risers that were visible, but the single element of progress on those new facilities. In the coming week that floor slab will be poured and the structural steel will be erected.
How about the brightness of the narthex and sanctuary? It is bright enough that now we can follow along with the new hymnals as we sing. More electrical activity will continue with conduits along the north and east walls. Major wall activity that will cover those conduits is scheduled to begin after Easter.
The daycare addition is progressing at a steady pace. There is a lot of activity by a number of different crafts. Walls are nearly all furred and sheet rocked. roof drains have been insulated, ducts are being installed, conduits and plumbing are in the walls and with taping of joints early next week, we can begin painting following the taping.
The kitchen is cleared of all old furnishings and of asbestos contains materials. The floor has been cut and opened for the installation of underground plumbing. it is expected that wall furring will begin next week.
There are quite a number of other construction elements that have effected different parts of the facility. They are important to the whole of the project but are more systems specific.
Week of 2/19 to 2/23/2024
The toddler/nursery addition has been a primary focus this past week. The exterior walls have been totally enclosed allowing for lots of interior efforts to progress. The roof has been sealed by the roofers. No rain will now interfere with interior progress. Interior walls have been studded allowing electrical, low voltage and plumbing installations.
Lights have been going up in the narthex! It is almost like the roof has been peeled away, there is so much more light. Dark corners have disappeared. Thanks be to God and the electricians preforming the installation.
The youngest Seedlings of Grace have been moved to their new location, Rooms 105-107! The coffee maker has been moved too; this to the narthex where it will be ready to serve. This all means that the kitchen will be stripped of its contents and the expansion begins.
Week of 2/12 to 2/16/2024
Two major events happened this past week with the first and arguably the most significant being the demolition of the former nursery. In a short period of time the roof and walls came tumbling down this past Tuesday. The speed of the act was a function of a good plan executed well.
The second big event was the pouring of the concrete floor slab in the toddler/nursery addition. There was a couple of days of delay from the original schedule but all due to weather issues. There had been some leaking in through the roof earlier in the week from light rain hat caused some water pooling and of course, the snow we woke up to on Thursday again changed the date. However, the slab was poured and with that interior efforts within will pickup considerably. This will include wall framing and more electrical and plumbing installations.
The youngest Seedlings of Grace will be moving to their new location, Rooms 105-107 next week and the kitchen will be stripped of contents making room for new improvements. The work just keeps on coming!
Week of 2/5 to 2/9/2024
This Winter has been a blessing to building construction. The temperatures have been mild and the precipitation has for the most part, been missing. Those two together have made the outdoor efforts progress at a steady rate. For one, check out the yellow addition on the Round Lake side. The yellow walls are a base layer. We’ll have a more complimentary color before too long. Work that cannot be seen from the road includes roof decking, supporting structures for the heating/ AC units, and window framing. The pace of this work is encouraging for an unimpeded completion and the relocation of the day care toddlers and infants.
This past Sunday brought sounds from the new speaker installation. A significant betterment to the quality of both the spoken word and music. But, this is not the end of sound improvements. Soon after Easter the walls will begin to show their new shape which will also have a noticeable effect to sound quality.
That rain of last Thursday? It only enhanced the backfilling of the big hole that will become the new entry. Compaction of the dirt filling needed moisture to be at its best and the rain filled that need. With access over the filled hole, the walls of the former nursery will come tumbling down this week. The roof over the same area will also be removed and steel columns and beams will be installed.
The infants presently residing in the room adjacent to the kitchen are to be moved or will have been moved as you read this. This move allows the kitchen to undergo its transformation with space nearly doubling. The floor will be cut up for installation of new drain lines that will serve two sinks and two dishwashers. That is a noticeable doubling! Congestion during a busy gathering will be diminished.
We have come a long way in two months. We have significant efforts yet to come that will continue to challenge our continuing use of the space left to us. Just as we reinforced our patience by waiting for the start of this construction last year, we need to persevere with additional patience through these coming months.
Week of 1/29 to 2/2/2024
This Winter has been a blessing to building construction. The temperatures have been mild and the precipitation has for the most part, been missing. Those two together have made the outdoor efforts progress at a steady rate. For one, check out the yellow addition on the Round Lake side. The yellow walls are a base layer. We’ll have a more complimentary color before too long. Work that cannot be seen from the road includes roof decking, supporting structures for the heating/ AC units, and window framing. The pace of this work is encouraging for an unimpeded completion and the relocation of the day care toddlers and infants.
This past Sunday brought sounds from the new speaker installation. A significant betterment to the quality of both the spoken word and music. But, this is not the end of sound improvements. Soon after Easter the walls will begin to show their new shape which will also have a noticeable effect to sound quality.
That rain of last Thursday? It only enhanced the backfilling of the big hole that will become the new entry. Compaction of the dirt filling needed moisture to be at its best and the rain filled that need. With access over the filled hole, the walls of the former nursery will come tumbling down this week. The roof over the same area will also be removed and steel columns and beams will be installed.
The infants presently residing in the room adjacent to the kitchen are to be moved or will have been moved as you read this. This move allows the kitchen to undergo its transformation with space nearly doubling. The floor will be cut up for installation of new drain lines that will serve two sinks and two dishwashers. That is a noticeable doubling! Congestion during a busy gathering will be diminished.
We have come a long way in two months. We have significant efforts yet to come that will continue to challenge our continuing use of the space left to us. Just as we reinforced our patience by waiting for the start of this construction last year, we need to persevere with additional patience through these coming months.
By now when you visit Grace you will be surrounded by evidence of the construction happening inside and out. The chain link fence surrounding the area that will be our new front entry keeps the curious out of the hole that holds the foundation elements of that new entry. If you walk the hallway from the narthex to the bathrooms, take a peak through the window into what had been the nursery. It is littered with holes where doors and walls had been or the ceiling removed; all in support for the next week of activity in the space- complete demolition including exterior walls and roof sections.
The sanctuary hasn’t escaped attention either. The obvious is the addition of shiny electrical conduits running along the south wall. These will be carrying wiring for the new speakers which will be hanging inlace by the end of next week
The most advanced effort of work is on the west side of the building. The new toddler/infant room is being framed in with some of the wall sheeting in-place. The unseen efforts that let that work progress are new roof drains and roofing that will tie into the toddler/ infant room.
This past Friday the last effort came into place that will allow for the transfer of the infants of Seeds of Grace to relocate to rooms 107-105. The sprinkler/alarm system was tested following a physical inspection of the rooms by the fire marshal. The kitchen is being emptied and by February 15 the contractor will be in there prepping the space for expansion and remodeling.
The patience by the staff and all that use the facility has been tested and so far we have worked through the disruptions quite well. Pray for the continuance of this grace.
Week of 1/22-1/26/2024
There is no turning back now! Excavation for footings on our new front entrance happened on Monday followed by forming and pouring concrete for footings. There will be persistent activity in this area for the next several months.
Interior demolition continues in the old nursery/crib room which will become part of the new entry and the reception area. Additional footers for columns will be excavated within the nursery area necessitating exterior wall and roof removal.
The next big relocation is underway with the emptying of rooms 105 and 107 and the removal of cabinet contents in the kitchen. The youngest Seedlings, those in the infant care area will be moved to the 105-107 rooms. The kitchen which expands into the the present infant area, will be more or less out of service for renovation and enlargement for a couple of months. The day care has made arrangements for alternative food service for the kiddies during this time.
It is a lot of disruption but all affected have graciously accepted the temporary inconvenience for the eventual improvements.
Week of 1/15 to 1/19/2024
This past week witnessed the second biggest milestone since the beginning of the building project- the relocation of the gas main service. This allows construction to begin on the new entrance, restrooms and hallway expansion. But first things first. Work will begin Monday on the excavation of wall footings and column footings. Which has a host of activities following that digging.
Additionally, demolition began on the old nursery/crib room intending to create space for the entry area. This activity is quite disruptive from the noise and dust generated. temporary portion walls will be installed to separate the construction from the general use of our facility.
The former occupants of the nursery, the toddlers of Seeds of Grace, are now in their new temporary quarters within the Fellowship Hall. By all appearances, this is a great match as the youngsters have a quiet space, a learning space and lots of space to play. Their next move, a few months out, will be to their new space on the west side of our building.
Week of 1/8 to 1/12/2024
This week was a period of many relocations. In preparation for the beginning of work for the new front entrance, the mechanical room located presently in the future bathrooms had to be cleared of stored items. A new gas service has to be routed from the newly relocated gas meter and into the aforementioned mechanical room. Before that connection can be made, the toddlers of Seeds of Grace, Seedlings, have to be relocated into the Fellowship Hall. The Fellowship Hall has to be cleared of tables and chairs to allow the toddlers their space. Those youngsters will occupy the Hall until their new space is available in May. On the west side of the building, the new nursery/toddler space, the adjoining hallway was cleared for steel installation, plumbing extensions, and electrical activities. If you see boxes where they have never been before, you will have a good idea of the space crunch we are experiencing.
In the next week the new gas service will be completed and activated. The young Seedlings will be relocated from their comfortable Toddler/nursery area to the Fellowship Hall. Plumbing serving the new toddler room will get underway. Electrical conduits will be installed through existing ceilings.
Week of 1/1 to 1/5/2024
There were only 3 working days this week as a consequence of the New Year holiday and the Thursday funeral of Major Jeff Hoernemann, USAF. However, during the time that was available, crews waterproofed and insulated the below grade block walls of the nursery/toddler addition and followed that with backfilling the same walls. Electrical and plumbing efforts have begun with conduit and water service piping scheduled to be installed above the ceiling.
Work will continue on the nursery/toddler addition next week and it is anticipated that the long-awaited gas meter relocation may be scheduled thereby opening the next area of work, the new entrance and bathrooms.
Week of 12/25 to 12/29/2023
12/25 Christmas Day
12/26 Lots of rain over the past few days. There was no pooled water in the excavation.
Masonry materials were delivered and spotted in work zone. Beyond the construction,
two U-Haul truckloads of like new office furnishings were brought in from the closed
Prudential building and placed in the church proper and Portable 1.
12/27 Masonry block was installed on the footings.
12/28 Complete block work on footings and grade beams poured.
12/29 Frosty morning. Demolition work on the north and west roof edges exposing existing block and allowing for layup of new parapet. The west exposure when revealed did not have 8” block as drawings depicted. Resolution to follow. Both new parapet and
demo’d west wall were covered and protected for the long weekend.
Week of 12/18 to 12/22/2023
12/18 The first day of significant work, excavation on the Nursery expansion on the west side of the building. However, the previous week saw three crabapple trees cleared from the east side of the facility. During excavation an unmarked communication line was unearthed. There was no service loss to phones, so it was determined the lines were associated with the irrigation system.
12/19 A quiet day on-site except for the electrician and plumber working to develop service for the west side nursery expansion.
12/20 Frost on the sub grade. The sun will take care of that, and blankets will be covering for overnight. Footings to be formed and rebar placed.
12/21 Footings and grade beams poured. Insulating blankets installed.
12/22 Misty morning followed by increasing rain through the day. Forms were stripped and the footing protected with blankets for the long weekend. Early departure due to rain.
Week of 12/11 to 12/25/2023
We have BEGUN! The hole for the new Seeds of Grace classrooms has been dug! Trees have been removed and lines have been marked! It is starting!
