Forward Project Update: November 10 - "Safe and Sound”

 

Last week, we updated Emanuel that to stay within our proposed project budget, we need to eliminate two components of our original plan: an East addition and new skylights in the narthex. A fair follow-up would be, “Where will the cost savings of these cuts be going?” 

The ceiling of our sanctuary is covered in cellulose acoustic tiles which are beginning to ‘de-laminate’ from the plaster behind them. That 100-year-old plaster is itself also beginning to fail in some places (especially under the balcony and above the altar).  A third challenge is that the adhesive which binds the tile to the plaster contains asbestos. To keep our sanctuary safe for a century to come, the ceiling will require a major overhaul. 

Additionally,  our air conditioning system is 40 years old. The plan to replace this entire system with high-efficiency units (instead of short-term upgrades) will reduce energy costs by more than thirty percent, saving us thousands of dollars in operating costs every year. 

The ceiling work and mechanical overhaul will ensure Emanuel has a safe and comfortable sanctuary for generations to come.