September Parking and Entry Bulletin

Construction is now confined primarily to the new main entrance on the west side of Redeemer. Little by little things are returning to normal. Two important items to note for the month of September:

1. The old west entrance, soon to be the new main entrance, is still closed until further notice – sometime in late November. However:
- The new gymnasium door off the West Parking Lot is open once again, as the new gym floor has been installed., and
- The music wing door is open once again, as the music practice room renovations are complete.
- The Westmaple Nursery doors are open once again, as the school renovations are complete.

2. By order of the state fire marshal we have been required to temporarily close the stairwell along side the chapel that leads to the lower level. Until we implement a permanent solution you may get to the lower level using a new stairwell that was recently constructed at the end of the office corridor.

Remember, access to the sanctuary is possible through the staff office hallway via the Chapel doors, through the church office hallway via the Office doors, through the gymnasium via the new northwest gymnasium doors (until August 16), via the Westmaple doors, via the music wing doors and of course through the Narthex via the church front doors.

We continue with the specially marked parking spaces for those that require proximity to church doors. These are for anyone that requires their use.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Progress Each Day

Lots of progress to report in areas that aren't always visible to Redeemer members and visitors. Take a look.

Work installing sheet rock on the walls in the lower level classrooms has started ...

Work on the renovated music room, including new bathrooms has started ...

Work on the new nursery has started, including the new crib room ...

Work on the final carpet and millwork in Westmaple has started ...

Work on the new gym floor is about to start (this coming week) ...

Work on the landscaping and lighting around the new parking lot is about to begin ...

Site Improvements Continue

Work on various site improvements continues around Redeemer.

Most of the new fire suppression system is in place, with just the placement of sprinkler heads awaiting the final lay-in ceiling tiles. The expanded electrical service (located on the east side of the chapel) is nearly ready for DTE to provide expanded service.

The new water service which will power the fire suppression system as well as the rest of Redeemer is now in place. Note the new fire hydrant which is maize colored, and not scarlet, as one pastor requested.
Work is proceeding on the new parking lot extension. All the underground work is complete and the area has been leveled, awaiting the addition of curbs, gravel and the final asphalt top coats. The sprinkling system has been disrupted at many points around the Redeemer grounds. Don't blame the garden club if some of the landscaping looks a little tired in the July heat. Rest assured that everything is being put back in its original condition.
Finally, a new sidewalk around the north side of the gymnasium is being readied for pour next week. The parking lot asphalt will be repaired as well to match the new contours along the north side of the building.

April Parking Update

For the last three Sundays in April (4-11, 4-18 and 4-25) please take note of the following construction plans around Redeemer:
- The West Entrance will be closed. All other entry doors are available, including a new door (pictured above) on the west wall of the gymnasium that will allow building access, via the gymnasium, to the Kitchen/Great Room hallway.

- A construction fence around the West Entrance will temporarily eliminate 10 parking spaces, including 2 handicap spaces. A construction fence around the back of the gymnasium will temporarily eliminate another 12 parking spaces. If necessary, please consider parking in the retail parking lot on the east (chapel) side of Redeemer.

- Special parking spaces for those that require proximity to church doors will be marked beginning Sunday, April 12. These are for anyone that requires their use.

- The driveway behind the gymnasium will be narrowed by the construction fence around the back of the gymnasium. Limited driving passage will be available around the back of the gym until Memorial Day.

- The hallway that leads from the gymnasium and library (past the courtyard) and up the stairs to the sanctuary will be closed beginning Monday, April 5th.

- Access to the sanctuary is possible through the staff office hallway, through the church office hallway, through the music wing hallway, through the lower level Fellowship Hall and of course through the front doors/narthex.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Pre-Construction Activities Begin

You may have noticed that small but important activity is already underway as we prepare for the start of construction on Monday, April 5, the day after Easter.

You may have noticed scaffolding on the west wall of the gym. A new double door is being added to the northwest corner of the gymnasium as part of the master plan. This door is being constructed first so it may serve as a temporary "west entrance" when the real west entrance is closed April 5.

What do you mean the west entrance is closed April 5! Yes, beginning with the first week of the project, the west entrance will fall within the construction fence and will be unavailable to members and visitors. In fact the hallway leading to the sanctuary from the west entrance will also be closed.

Members and visitors may still enter through the new gymnasium doors on the west wall of the gym. Later in the spring this door will also be closed as work will proceed inside the gym (after the conclusion of our Wing and Prayer Players spring production.) But our other doors will remain open, including the Westmaple door to the north, the Chapel door to the east, the office and sanctuary doors to the south, and the music wing door on the southwest corner.

Keep checking here each week for more information on parking and church entry.

Design Update: Site Improvements

In order to support the first phase of Sacred Space, as well as accommodate the future growth outlined in our master facility plan, several improvements are being made to the Redeemer site. Highlights include:

• West parking lot expansion close to sanctuary and main entrance


• Fire protection in all new areas and existing hallways


• Water upgrade to accommodate new fire suppression sprinklers


• Electrical upgrade to accommodate current and future growth


• Phone and wireless upgrade in all new areas


• Fire exit from children’s lower level classrooms to outside


• Air conditioning in the gymnasium