CENTRAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

BUILDING INFRASTUCTURE EVALUATION AND RESTORATION REPORT

INTRODUCTION

The Architectural/Engineering Team of Swanson Design Studios, Clark Trombley Randers, and Comprehensive Engineering conducted a facilities walk-through and infrastructure survey during the months of February and March of 2005 to perform a general systems review of architectural and engineering components at Central United Methodist Church located in Lansing, Michigan. Our survey of existing facilities consisted of both the Church structure which was built in 1889 - 1890 and the Temple House structure which was built in 1922-1923. The evaluation included the three levels of the Church structure and the four levels of the Temple House structure.

It is important to understand that this evaluation and study is what we call a "bricks and mortar" evaluation of the existing church structure. Our assessment focuses on the facilities as they presently exists which includes issue or problem identification, an assessment as to its priority for repair or restoration and finally an estimated cost for the resolution of the identified issue. In general, our assessment and recommendations have not resolved or investigated every possibility or consideration related to the resolution or completion of that issue. Items and issues will be further investigated, researched and resolved during the implementation phases

This infrastructure evaluation will be used as a basis for identifying components of the building systems which need to be addressed for continued long term operations of the church facilities.

This report is based on a visual survey limited to areas that were readily accessible at the time of the survey. Hidden conditions or areas that were covered by finished materials may need further investigation at a later date to gather specific information regarding the restoration or implementation of the issue.

Estimated costs provided as part of this evaluation are based on opinion of probable costs developed from the architects and engineers historical data base and the Means Cost Data ( Means Cost Data is a standard guide for cost estimating building industry). Estimated costs listed in this report represent installed costs by trade. The estimates do not reflect contingencies or a general contractor's markup for overhead and profit. Our evaluation and cost estimates and evaluation do not include removal of hazardous materials such as asbestos or lead paint.

This report and evaluation is broken down by architectural and engineering system and is formatted as follows: System Description and Condition, Constraints and Opportunities, and Recommendations in a tabular Summary of Costs.

The System Description and Condition section of the report identifies and outlines a brief description of each system or component based on our visual walk-through. The prime goal of this section is to inventory what presently exists in this facility.

The System Description and Condition section also attempts to assess conditions of each existing system and if possible the age and remaining useful life. In this section we also identify and evaluate significant life safety and code issues. We consider those items which may endanger the health and welfare of the building occupants. It needs to be understood that this building was initially erected in a time where there were probably no life safety and building codes in existence. As it applies to many of the issues indicated under this topic we need to point out that the building code does not require that the building be brought into conformance with current codes unless there are significant alterations or a change in the building use; rather in most cases, the building is "grandfathered " in if we are just restoring existing finishes and existing building components. However we consider some items crucial enough to bring to the attention of the church for their consideration as important for the life safety of those who occupy the facility.

The Constraints section addresses limitations of the existing facility and/or system to the possibility of new additions, expansions or renovation.

We have provided a Summary of Estimated Costs spread sheet with most items that have been recommended for infrastructure improvement at the end of this report. Recommendations are initially prioritized by the Architects and Engineers with highest priority for life safety issues, and lower priority for code violations, maintenance and general improvements. Basic building floor plans of the existing church facilities have been provided to be used as a reference.

Within the body of this report are references to termite damage restoration and moisture issues found in the Dining Room. As the cost for restoration and repair of these items are not specifically addressed in this report, we offer updates on the ongoing pursuit of these two issues.

Termite Damage Restoration: There is termite related damage in the church buildings. A separate study is being conducted to determine damage and its impact on the church building.

Dining Room Moisture: The church continues to pursue the nature and cause of the moisture infiltration outside the scope of this report.

A few tips on use and understanding of this report:

At the top of the page of each room in the individual room evaluation is a room number and a room name ( i.e. Room: B34 Corridor or Room: 405 Loft ) . These room numbers are also found on the fold out small scale floor plans found at the end of the room evaluations of each floor to help identify the room being evaluated.

A summary of prioritized system recommendations follows at the end of each Building System. In addition to a summary of architectural systems there is also a room by room evaluation which provides prioritized recommendations for each significant room or space. The room by room evaluation is organized by floor level.

Life safety issues, and issues related to the structural integrity of the building are typically considered high priority. Issues related to finish upgrades, aesthetics and non critical issues related to conformance to current building codes were considered less crucial and have been prioritized as medium and low priority.

Finally we wish to thank all of the individuals from Central United Methodist Church and the Restoration Task Force that assisted in our evaluation and walk through and assembly of this document. Their knowledge, insights, critiques and history of the building have proven invaluable in the understanding of the church structure and assembly of this report.

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