Less than 100 Days and Counting...

Less than 100 days until our anticipated start of construction. Hence more Sacred Space progress to report as work continues during the Christmas season.

- On December 17 architect Ron Cieslak presented initial interior design selections to the architecture committee. These selections include things such as carpet and tile in the new main entrance, town square and adjoining cafe and bathrooms. Several lay members with interior design skills are being added to the architecture committee to review these selections.

- On December 21 the final drawings for Administrative Approval were completed and subsequently submitted to the City of Birmingham. These drawings include all final changes and inititate the permitting process with the city.

- On December 23 the Sacred Space financial team talked with Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) concerning a possible 18 month construction loan (or "bridge" loan) that will be necessary to cover the difference between cash collected and cash expended prior to the end of the three year capital stewardship campaign. Earlier the team had also met with our local banker, Chase, to review their construction loan program. Both conversations were very positive.

City Commission Says Go Ahead

The Birmingham City Commission gave their approval for the Sacred Space project at a December 7, 2009 meeting. The City Commission vote was 6-1 in favor of the Redeemer proposal, with newly elected Commissioner Mark Nikita casting the lone dissenting vote.

Prior to this meeting Redeemer had been required to file a comprehensive site plan and amendment to the Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) that governs Redeemer's operation in the neighborhood. The site plan and SLUP amendment were reviewed by members of the city planning department and had previously been approved by the City Planning Board at a September, 2009 meeting.

The next step in the city review process is to apply for the appropriate construction permits. This will occur over the next month just as soon as the final construction drawings are completed and submitted to the City of Birmingham.

Video: Virtual Tour in 3D

This short one minute video provides the viewer a 'virtual tour' of the new Town Square and Gymnasium. At the time the video was produced, many of the interior design selections had yet to be made. Hence there are some subtle differences between the video and final design. For example, the fireplace will be a painted, wood paneled design to match the rest of the Town Square (not red brick as depicted in the video.) Click on the 'play' button in the middle of the video and enjoy.