Dear Cornerstone Family,
I write to give you an important update on our church renovations. But before I do, I know many of you have joined Cornerstone over the last several months and may have no idea that any renovation plans are in the works. Further, those of you who are well aware of our renovation plans could probably use a reminder on the steps we’ve made (and are trying to make) to accommodate the “good problem” of growth at Cornerstone.
With that in mind, let’s go back a little to May 2023. On May 19, 2023, we closed on the purchase of 203 3rd Avenue South, which is the gray home catty-corner to the chapel. (We now affectionately call that home “The Corner House.”) In June, after making some necessary updates to the building, the Cornerstone staff offices were moved to The Corner House. This freed up the second floor of the chapel to help meet our growing need for more educational space.
After the purchase of The Corner House, we began working with the city of Franklin, in relationship to our Owner’s Rep, The Riverstone Group, on the approval of a renovation plan for the first and third floor of the chapel. In July, I wrote to inform you that the bid for the first and third floor renovations came in roughly $500,000 more than originally expected. Due to the increase in expected cost and the recent purchase of the Corner House, the elders reengaged members of our 2022 Ministry Expansion Team and our ministry leaders and revaluated our current space needs. After remapping some ministry spaces, the decision was made to postpone the third-floor renovation but to move forward with the renovation of the first floor.
Since that report, we have been working closely with Rob McKelvey, the architect, Scott Farrell, Project Manager of Harvest Construction, Ryan Musser, Owner’s Rep of The Riverstone Group, and the city of Franklin on the renovation plans for the first floor. After going back and forth a few times with the city of Franklin, our renovation plans were approved two weeks ago. We are slated to begin demolition on the first floor of the chapel on Monday, October 2nd.
As you would expect, the first floor will be completely off-limits during construction. Temporary barriers/boundaries will be put in place in order to keep everyone out of the downstairs space while demolition and construction is happening. We will continue to worship and utilize the rest of the chapel throughout the fall while construction is taking place. At this time, we do not anticipate construction interfering with our fall/winter ministry plans.
Construction timelines are difficult to judge. As of now, Harvest Construction is estimating ten weeks of construction time. If that proves true, it’s possible the project could be finished by the end of the year. However, with holidays and delays, January 2024 is more realistic. We will certainly keep you posted if things change.
With the renovation of the first floor, we will have an increased space for adult Sunday School, Wednesday night meals, and overflow worship. In addition, we will have spaces during the week for larger youth, women, and men’s events. That is to say nothing of the added kitchen and bathroom space, which is greatly needed. Needless to say, we’re excited to see how the renovated first floor will meet our growing needs as a congregation.
Please continue to pray for the Lord’s sustained blessing as we enter into this next phase of renovation.
Your servant,
