FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Denton, Texas

NEW FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q & A on The Revised Building Plan
August 2003

1.     Question:  Why have we switched around and opted to build the original phase 2 first?

Answer:  The “East Wing” addition is a project that better fits the gifts and pledges from our recent capital campaign. By reprogramming the way we use the east wing it will address all of the most pressing priorities.

2.    Question:   Will the “East Wing” provide as much additional space as the original phase 1 plan?

Answer:  Yes. The original phase 1 included removing and rebuilding the education building, Cole Chapel, and Flinn Hall. It would have replaced that space and added about 28,000 square feet. The plans for the east wing will add about 33,000 square feet of space.

3.    Question:   Does this phase include the sanctuary steeple?

Answer:  No. Our budget probably will not allow us to build the steeple at this time. The building committee has proposed that the church establish a separate fund for the steeple. We hope that sufficient money could be raised to build the steeple and do some maintenance to the masonry on the front of the sanctuary by 2007 to celebrate our congregation’s 150th anniversary.

4.    Question:  What priorities are addressed by the proposal?

Answer:   The building committee identified the following priorities for our church facilities:
1. More space for infants and toddlers located closer to the sanctuary
2. Improved and expanded space for our elementary program
3. Expanded space for our music ministry (rehearsal and storage)
4. Additional multipurpose space for classes and small group meetings
5. Additional parking on the church campus
6. Improved access for persons in wheelchairs
7. Expanded library
8. Additional office space

5. Question:   What about our youth?

Answer:  With added space for children and adults, our youth will be able to spread out in the Flinn Hall area and continue to use the Monroe Fellowship Building. They will also benefit from the expanded music rooms (Credo and the youth band) and they will have access to the multi-purpose activity space on the third floor.

6. Question:   How does the plan address the needs of our senior church members?

Answer:  The plan would provide additional parking on the church property. It also adds additional close-in parking down Mulberry Street along with an improved accessible entrance and drop off area from Mulberry to the Miller Welcoming Center. The new east wing will have an elevator and handicapped accessible restrooms on all three floors. We will also improve the access from the sanctuary to the second and third floors of the current education building.

7. Question:   How does the plan improve facilities for our children?

Answer:  The new east wing addition will provide 150% more space for our children. For infants through four-year olds, we will grow from 6 smaller to 10 larger rooms which will be much more conveniently located to the sanctuary. Our elementary program will grow from 5 smaller to 8 larger rooms that are better suited for instruction and group activities.

8. Question:  How much additional space will be available for adult classrooms?

Answer:  The East Wing has 7 classrooms totaling 5,850 square feet for adult classrooms. When the elementary classes move to the East Wing, 6 classrooms totaling 2,484 square feet will be available for adult classes.

9. Question:   What are the plans for the Monroe Fellowship Building?

Answer:  The Monroe Building will still be available for Feast and Fellowship along with other large dinner events. It will be available to the youth and to our elementary and preschool programs. It may also be used for some new recreation and outreach ministries being explored by the Administrative Board. There are no funds budgeted to remodel the Monroe Building.

10. Question:   When will we do the new phase 2 of the master plan (on the west and south side of the campus)?

Answer:  The east wing should satisfy our current needs and growth for 5 to 10 years.
So it is not likely that we will need to begin work on phase 2 before 2013. These projections could change based on the rate of growth of the church or maintenance issues with the existing facilities. Future building committees and church conferences will ultimately decide how and when to pursue those projects.

11. Question:   How much will the project cost and what will the church have to borrow?

Answer:  The total cost for the project is estimated to cost $3,825,517. That figure includes construction, fees, furniture, equipment, parking, and the costs for interim financing. Considering current gifts and pledges to the project, the church will need to borrow about $1.6 million on a 20-year note. We would probably start regular payments in June of 2006. Mortgage payments would total about $130,000 per year, which would require a 9.3% increase from our 2002 revenues. Of course additional gifts and pledges to the building fund will decrease the amount that we will have to finance.

12. Question:  Originally, we heard that the east wing phase would cost about $3 million. Why is the new amount higher?

Answer:  The original costs estimates were for construction only. Furthermore, the original east wing phase did not include any parking since we planned on building the entire east parking lot (170 spaces) with the other phase. Another factor is that the current plan is larger and includes additional restrooms in the children’s area. The new cost estimates also include furniture, professional fees, interim financing, and a heating and air conditioning system that will also serve the education building and the sanctuary.

13. Question:  Will there be any other long-term costs to the church?

Answer:  Yes. An engineer’s study estimates an increase in our utility costs for heating and cooling the additional space to run about $18,000 per year. We will also need to increase our custodial staff with an additional half time position.

14. Question:   When will construction begin?

Answer:  If the congregation approves the plan on September 7, construction will probably begin in February or March of 2004. Construction will last about 13 months.

15. Question:   Will the project include renovations and improvements to our current buildings?

Answer:  For the most part, no. There will be some changes to the first floor of the
sanctuary building to improve circulation and provide a new location for a larger library. The current library will be converted into offices.

16. Question:   Why can’t we get along with our current facilities for a while longer?

Answer:  We are a growing church in a growing community. Since 1995, our average worship attendance has increased by over 60%. We have had an average net increase in members of 3.35% per year since 1995. Since 1995 we have had an average increase in receipts to our annual budget of 9.7% per year. Denton County is one of the fastest growing counties in the USA. The city alone projects an increase in population from the current 91,588 to 149,186 by 2013 (5% per year). Of those 57,598 new residents, 9% or 5,183 will be Methodist. So we need facilities to accommodate our growth and the United Methodist Church is already building new congregations to serve our area.

But our facilities are about more than the growth of our membership. Our master plan is designed to strengthen our ministry to the community and equip us to be better disciples of Jesus Christ. The building committee is confident that the renewal and expansion of our facilities will contribute to our own renewal as a vital part of the Body of Christ.
 

Updated August 8, 2003

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