South Highland’s Administration Ministry Team, which is overseeing our church-wide building renovation project, is excited to update the congregation on recent progress on several projects.
Pointing
This work was actually begun last year in advance of the fundraising campaign, thanks to a generous donation, and was the catalyst that ignited the Building for the Future campaign. It involved needed repairs to deteriorated mortar around some of the stonework on the Legacy Building. Work in that area has been completed and the blocks are well sealed and safe.
Stained Glass
High windows facing the courtyard behind the sanctuary have been repaired in recent weeks. Each window and louvered vent was removed and restored. Rot or damage to the window framing was repaired, then the windows were replaced. All work on our stained glass is expected to be complete by the end of July.
Remaining Projects
The Admin team met with the contractor, JOHNSONKREIS, on April 10 and walked the building while going over each bullet point in the renovation. More projects are expected to begin by early May with subcontractors working on painting, wood work, leaks and other issues.
HVAC
Our own Ken Laney is very involved with the air conditioning projects. A new “chiller” will be ordered very soon, possibly one that is smaller than originally planned and thus less costly. With a turnaround time of about 26 weeks, we won’t see progress on this until well into the fall season.
Last October, two new rooftop HVAC units were installed on top of the Legacy Building and Davis Family Hall.
Circle Drive Tree
We have sadly been watching for some time the deterioration of the large tree in the circle drive off Highland Avenue, a long-established tree which suffered in bitter cold temperatures. Consultants from Auburn University’s Extension Service have advised that the tree cannot be saved, so its removal is being planned. One of the issues the agents pointed out is that the root system has outgrown the area in which it was planted, much like a potted plant might in one’s own garden. We will be sad to see this magnificent tree go. Plans for new greenery in the circle drive are still in the works.