A week or so ago I announced at Friday night services that work had begun on our community building. Since that time, I have had a few phone calls wanting additional information. I realize it has been a while, so to bring everyone up to date, here is where we are in the process. The work that has begun is asbestos abatement that will take approximately four to five weeks. Nothing else can be done until this process is completed.
We had promised that the community would be able to see the final design when it is completed, and we continue to be committed to that promise. Although this has been a long process in getting to the final design, I am confident that it will be worth the wait. The reasons for the delay are this: If you remember, we went to bid with plans for a building that the architects and our construction manager felt we could build with the money we have available. We also put out or bid, several alternates that we are hopeful we will be able to incorporate into the building. These alternates included enhanced revisions to the large and small prayers spaces as well as other less visible upgrades. The bids have come in very aggressive and it appears that we will be able to incorporate at least some of the alternates into the new building.
What we are doing now, and remember we can’t even think of starting construction until the asbestos abatement is completed, is reviewing every aspect of the bids in order to maximize what we are able to incorporate into the building. Once that process is complete and we know exactly what base items and alternates will be included, we will make drawings and pictures available to the community so everyone will have a very clear understanding of what our new home will look like. In the meantime, there are pictures posted in the JCC in the main lobby of the work being done. Stop in and take a look and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Tom Porter, Temple President
January 20, 2011 Update
I have not written one of these for a while but I thought I would let you know that after one final plumbing issue, the sale of the building has closed and the money has been transferred from Malone to our bank. The building did not go down without a fight as we had another leak develop and cause some damage to a few of the classrooms. This was discovered just two days prior to closing. After working out the details with Malone and the insurance company, we were able to complete the sale.
The building committee is continuing to meet with the architects to refine the plans for the building utilizing the funds available. While I cannot give you a specific date for a meeting to unveil the plans, rest assured that we are working as quickly as possible to bring plans and designs to the community. I will continue to keep you informed as we move forward. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Tom Porter
October 18, 2010 Update
A brief Kadima update: The building committee met recently with our architects to discuss their revised plan for a renovated building. They had some rough sketches of their ideas which were reviewed by the committee. The building committee has now heard initial proposals on new construction and a revised renovated building. We are still working through the process of costing, etc. for both proposals and the building committee will make a recommendation to the steering committee, most likely at the next Kadima meeting. Our architects assure us that if we have our decisions made by the end of the year we are still on schedule to start construction in early spring. As always, I will keep you posted as things develop.
Tom Porter
September 14, 2010 Update
One of the questions that came up several times at our meetings was “What happens if Malone backs out again?” I had stated that we were working to get a commitment from Malone that would let us know their intentions are to close on January 6, 2011. To that end, we have received a letter from Malone University letting us know their plan to provide us with an additional deposit towards the purchase of our building. The size of the deposit is significant and all but assures that they plan to close on the building in January. The letter states that we will have a check available on November 1, 2010 and was signed by their president and the chair of the board of trustees.
The building committee will be meeting on September 21, 2010 to hear the first of the construction proposals. While the committee will not be able to make a recommendation until all proposals are heard, this is the first step in the process.
I will continue to update the congregation as warranted.
Tom Porter
August 20, 2010 Update
While there is nothing significant to report I did want to address a few key issues that seem to be on the front burner for some congregants:
While we wait for final cost information from our architect and construction manager (Hammond Construction) for a revised construction plan it is important to know that we are not being charged for the work being done in order to compile these figures. The Kadima Committee has not spent any additional money on this process.
The other issue seems to center around a new building. I have continually said that all options are being looked at and that statement remains true. The Temple Board asked that all options be explored and we are following through on that request. At this time the Kadima Committee does not have enough factual information as it relates to either option to make an informed recommendation.
Until that time I ask that you remain patient and please keep mind that everyone involved in this process wants to do what is right for our entire Jewish Community. I will continue to update our congregation as to our progress.
July 24, 2010 Update
During this past week the Temple Board of Trustees met and the Kadima Steering Committee also had a meeting. There is no major news to report from the Kadima Steering Committee. We are still waiting for cost information for the options we had previously discussed. This may seem like a simple process but in reality, there is a tremendous amount of work involved in costing out a job of this magnitude so we must have a little patience.
The Temple Board of Trustees voted to make the move to the JCC as our temporary home until the community building is complete. We do not have an exact move date at this time. Chadash will start their school year at the JCC in order minimize the disruption for the kids.
Mark Atleson has been appointed as the point person for the move and he will be forming groups of people to assist in the process.
On a somewhat related matter, we will be holding a series of informal congregational meetings at the homes of various congregants. You should be receiving an invitation within the next day or so. Please make an effort to attend one of these meetings so that you may have some input into the future direction of our Temple.
I will continue to make efforts to keep you informed of the progress of the Kadima process though the Kadiima Corner as well as at Friday night services. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have though the link on the website or call anyone on the committee.
Tom Porter
July 14, 2010 Update
The Kadima building committee had a meeting on Monday July 12 with our architects to discuss possible modified construction plans based on our current situation. All possible construction options were discussed and we feel that the architects have a very good understanding of our situation and what they need to do to move forward. Members of the building committee are Irv Rudick, Bob Weintraub, Paul Feldman, Mark Sirak, and Ed Buxbaum. Paul and Mark were unable to attend. Also attending were Rick and Lou Altman, Marty Jacobson and myself.
As a part of moving forward with the Kadima process, the JCC building is being privately marketed to prospective buyers. I should have more to report within the next week or so and I will also be making announcements at services each week in an effort to keep everyone up to date.
Tom Porter
July 8, 2010 Update
For those of you that attended the informational meeting on the June 29, I thank you for your attendance, your input, your questions and comments, and for listening to the information made available to you. I certainly hope you all have a better understanding of the history and vision of the Kadima process.
I will be utilizing this space to keep you updated on where we are with the Kadima process with the understanding that not every aspect of this process can be discussed in a public forum without risking the outcome of the process. An example may be if we are in negotiations to sell the JCC building I will not comment on that process until negotiations are completed. The e-mail address is also up and running and I have already answered a few questions. I will make every effort to answer questions as quickly as possible.
The Temple Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, July 6 and had discussion on the possible move to the JCC as a temporary measure until construction is complete on the new community property. We are still gathering some additional information as it relates to cost and a few other items and will most likely vote at our next meeting, scheduled for July 20.
The Kadima Steering Committee met on Wednesday, July 7 with the majority of the meeting discussing the possible Temple move into the JCC and the anticipated Shaaray Torah move when construction begins. There is meeting scheduled with the architects for early next week to being discussion on a modified construction plan, All available options will be considered. The formation of an operating committee was also discussed. This operating committee is referenced in the LLC document and will, in effect, operate the new community building, with the obvious exception of the religious aspect of each institution. There will be representatives from each institution on the operating committee.
As mentioned, the next Temple Board of Trustees meeting will be held on July 20 and the next Kadima Steering Committee will be held on July 22. I will most likely not post any new information until after those meetings unless there is something of significance to report.
