2009-2010 Building Updates

 4.25.10  

Six members of the design firm, Visioneering, were at Calvary last week to conduct a master planning exercise known as a charrette. Thanks to all those who participated. It was a great re-start to our design process. Within the next week or so, we will begin a 30-day review period to fine tune the Harvest Fields master plan. Once complete, the next step will be to determine the sequence and phasing of the plan. Also, construction for the new access road could begin as early as 5.3.10 and is scheduled to be completed by 12.5.10. Please pray that this schedule can be met and earth will finally begin to move in Boalsburg!
 4.11.10  Charrette scheduled for this week! In case you're not familiar with this term, Wikipedia defines it as: "any collaborative session in which a group of designers draft a solution to a design problem." In our case it refers to an event in which our new design firm, Visioneering, will lead us through an intense, creative process aimed at developing and refining the master plan for the Harvest Fields site. As we hope to see construction begin on the new access road this spring, it's now time to get back down to business with the design plans for our property. Visioneering (www.visioneeringstudios.com) is one of the most creative and innovative new firms doing church design in the U.S. They have been involved in developing plans for many of the largest and fastest-growing churches in America and have agreed to assist us with our design efforts for a new facility at Harvest Fields. Staff from Visioneering will be in State College this week to study the community and the church as a foundation for their creative and customized process.
 9.20.09 Work on the entrance of the new road could begin at any time. The only hold-up is discussion as to how payment will be made for unanticipated costs connected with moving three telephone poles. Please pray that this issue will quickly be resolved. Bids for the balance of the road work (beyond the entrance) are due by 10/1. Please pray for our development partners as they face the challenges of moving forward in the midst of the sluggish economy. Our hope is the road construction can move ahead without further delays.
 8.9.09 The walk-through of PSU's bio-filter septic system was positively received by Harris Township officials. Thanks for your prayers around that meeting. The plans are now ready to submit to the township sewage enforcement officer sometime next week. Plans for the parking areas will be finalized within the next couple of weeks. Please continue praying for the implementation of the agreement with the adjoining property owners so that the access road construction can begin soon.
 7.26.09    Please pray for a meeting this Thursday between design team members and some of the Harris Township officials to look at the bio-filter septic system in place at Penn State. We're hoping this will give officials a better understanding of the environmentally friendly system we'd like to implement at Harvest Fields. Some initial work on the entrance to the new access road is scheduled to begin Monday. Keep praying that our partners would be willing to continue that work to completion in a reasonable timeframe. The master plan for all three properties is scheduled to be signed by township supervisors on 8/10.
 7.19.09 n/a
 7.12.09 Despite some slowdown in progress toward construction of the new access road, other aspects of the project continue to move forward. Our concept plan and sewage treatment process will be presented at upcoming meetings for the Planning Commission (7/20) and the Harris Township Board of Supervisors (8/10). Harris Township officials are also being invited to view a similar constructed wetlands system in operation at Penn State. Please pray that these plans would be understandable and well-received by these officials.
 7.5.09 Please continue to pray for progress in discussions with the adjoining property owners regarding the timetable for construction of the new access road. We're hoping to have face to face discussions to present our concerns in the near future. The preliminary subdivision and land development plans have been submitted to Harris Township and will most likely be considered at the August Board of Supervisors meeting. There are many details and requirements to be fulfilled in this process. Pray that all would be covered and there would be no unnecessary delays. 
 6.28.09 Please continue to pray for progress in discussions with the adjoining property owners regarding the timetable for construction of the new access road. We're hoping to have face to face discussions to present our concerns in the near future. The preliminary subdivision and land development plans have been submitted to the Harris Township Zoning officer for consideration at the 7/13 Board of Supervisors meeting. There are many details and requirements to be fulfilled in this process. Pray that all would be covered and there would be no unnecessary delays.
 6.21.09

The DEP has reviewed our septic plan and had only minor comments on it. This is good news and the process seems to be moving forward at a reasonable pace. A master plan for the development was submitted to the township on Friday and is expected to be recorded in mid-July.

The major prayer request this week is for the timetable on the road construction. Our partners would like to slow down on the road construction due to the economic concerns. While this doesn't prevent us from moving forward with construction, it does make it more difficult. Please pray that this concern will be resolved and will not hold up work on the new road. 
 6.14.09 The Community Needs Assessment Task Force has completed its work and the design team will be evaluating those results this week, looking for themes/findings that may help to shape the remainder of the design process. Please pray for the team as we restart this important phase of the building process. We already have a great start, but want to be sure we're up to date with the needs of the community we're called to serve. A special thanks to those who gave of their time to make personal contacts with an extensive list of community leaders and organizations.
 6.7.09 The next step in the septic approval process will involve meeting with Harris Township officials to help them get acquainted with our proposal. Please pray for a positive reception. We're hopeful the road construction will begin soon - it's currently being held up due to financial negotiations between the other two partners. The Design Team continues to work on selecting the project architect and, along with the civil engineer, making final revisions to the building footprint for the land development plan. The Finance Team met on Friday to begin the process of selecting a lender. Lots happening - please be praying!
 5.31.09   

Thanks to all who prayed about the meeting with DEP officials in Williamsport last week. Overall the meeting was very positive and DEP doesn't appear to have any major problems with our proposed system. We're still waiting for start-up on the access road as final cost details are worked out between the other two partners. Please pray there would be no siginficant delays as a result of these negotiations.
 5.24.09 Thanks to all who prayed about the meeting with DEP officials in Williamsport this past week. Overall, the meeting was very positive and DEP doesn't appear to have any major problems with our proposed system. Specific details were discussed regarding the process needed for approval, some design alterations that may actually reduce our cost and, while it takes time, it doesn't look like there will be any obstacles to it going through to a permit. This is a significant answer to prayer for the third and final key site development component!
 5.3.09 Please be in prayer for an important presentation to the DEP to take place the week of May 18 in Williamsport. We will be presenting our concept design for the bio-filter sewage system for the new facility. Approval from the DEP will allow us to move forward to the next stages of developing this plan. As we look to expand the use of the rest of the Harvest Fields property, progress is being made in planning for a prayer cabin near the main house that can be used for personal or small group prayer retreats. We’re also looking at some possible additions to the existing septic system that may allow use of the meeting spaces in the house by larger groups.
4.26.09
With the partner agreement signed and the Highway Occupancy Permit issued, construction of the new access road (Discovery Drive) is slated to begin May 18. Completion of the road is expected by the end of Sept or early Oct. Meanwhile Bob Cameron and our civil engineering firm are moving ahead with finalizing a septic plan for DEP approval. We’re optimistic that it will be well received but, as always, please continue to pray for this important piece. The task force assigned to conduct a community needs assessment met this past Tuesday for a productive session of identifying key people and organizations from which we will seek feedback. Pray also for this group as they attempt to complete this process in a relatively short timeframe over the next 2-3 weeks.
 4.19.09  n/a
 4.12.09 With construction of the new road set to begin within weeks, the Design Team is now shifting gears to bring the design of the new facility into clearer focus. An architect will soon be reengaged and time is also being spent exploring possible uses of the land. A task group has formed to update our needs assessment for the surrounding region. While the Harvest Fields development will resource the entire Calvary family and multi-site movement and function as a specific worship gathering location, first priority will be given to meeting the needs of the community – through both the facility and the development of the land.
 4.5.09 As the finishing touches are being put to some core site issues and construction of the new road set to begin within weeks, the Design Team is now shifting gears to bring the design of the new facility into clearer focus. Because of the delays and our commitment to design a facility with a community focus, a task group will be working over the next several weeks to update our needs assessment for the surrounding region. While the Harvest Fields development will resource the entire Calvary family and multi-site movement and function as a specific worship gathering location, first priority will be given to meeting the needs of the community – through both the facility and the development of the land.
 3.29.09 On Wednesday, the Design Team met with Bob Cameron, who is designing the bio-filter septic plan, to discuss details and updates of the plan before submittal to the DEP. A small greenhouse building needed for the process was strategically located on the site and other details discussed. Please continue to pray for the plan to be well received and approved by the DEP and local officials. We expect to have the Highway Occupancy permit in hand any day and are finalizing the building footprint as part of the land development plan.
 3.22.09 A group of Calvary leaders gathered this weekend to evaluate and pray about all the input received regarding the Harvest Fields project – seeking God’s direction for refining our course in the coming months. Development options and cost data were reviewed, discussed and prayed over. Please continue to be in prayer for this process as well as the entitlement process.
 3.15.09 n/a
 3.8.09 Please continue praying as we tie up loose ends to get the partner agreement fully executed and for the issuing of the highway occupancy permit. We don’t expect any problems, but would appreciate prayer anyway because these are such critical pieces. Also, please be praying for a leadership retreat which will take place the weekend of Mar 20-21 for the purpose of evaluating and praying about all the input received regarding the project – with an aim toward refining our course as the project now starts in earnest over the next few months.
 3.1.09 A major answer to prayer occurred in the Feb. 20 meeting with our development partners. After a very cordial meeting, the partners accepted Calvary’s offer of cash and land as our portion of the access development costs. In addition, all property owners affected by the development have given their assent. The agreement is expected to be executed shortly after the highway occupancy permit (HOP) is issued on March 2. Because of these major developments, construction on the new road that will connect our property should begin in late spring. Thanks for your prayers & don’t stop praying!
 2.22.09 The Feb. 13 meeting with the DEP was the most positive yet. Thanks for praying! There are still some technical issues to be worked out, but we are optimistic that an agreement can be reached. We expect to submit the permit application in mid to late March. Please also be in prayer for a leadership retreat to take place the third weekend in March. This event is designed to bring together a variety of leaders to evaluate, consider and pray over all the information and input that has recently been gathered with a goal of mapping a clear direction for the Harvest Fields project to move forward.
 2.15.09 We received news this week that the Highway Occupancy Permit is expected to be approved by the first week in March. This is, of course, a key approval needed for work on the site to move forward. Thanks for your continued prayers. Please also pray for a meeting this Friday with all the development partners. One of the outcomes of that meeting may be a finalization of the partner agreement for cost sharing on the site access (another key part of our process).
 2.8.09 The Design Team this week is working on the final revisions to the cost-sharing agreement with our neighboring property developers. Please pray that this agreement will finally be accepted so that work can proceed on the road access to Harvest Fields. The team is also in the process of estimating accurate flow numbers for the septic design and DEP application that is about to be filed. Please pray for a meeting that will take place with DEP officials this Wednesday that will demonstrate the alternative system currently planned. Pray that the DEP representatives will be receptive to our proposal.
 2.1.09 n/a
 1.25.09 Please plan to attend the congregation meeting this afternoon (Jan 25) at 4:00pm for the latest updates on site development, initial findings of the donor questionnaire and more. Please be in prayer as leadership will now evaluate this information and other factors in order to propose the best course of action moving forward. Pray especially for the God’s desires to be known with clarity!
 1.18.09 Thanks to all building project donors who participated in our recent questionnaire. The results will be extremely helpful to the Leadership and Design teams as they chart the course ahead. If interested in further updates, please plan to attend the Congregational Meeting on Jan. 25.
 1.11.09 All Capital Campaign Donors: if you haven’t already completed the on-line questionnaire, please do so no later than tomorrow to have your input included in this important information. We really want to hear from everyone who has donated to Beyond Our Walls. Thanks for taking a few minutes to complete this before Monday, Jan. 12.
 1.4.09 n/a