Building Updates

Home Calendar Weekly Schedule Prayer Good News

 

Click here for the March 30, 2008 Building Committee Update

 

Preparing Spire for Painting and Move to New Site, March 29, 2008

Building Progress, March 5, 2008

Signing Slab and Walls, "East Wing," - Jan. 13, 2008

Church Work Day on New Property, Jan. 12, 20008

 

BUILDING UPDATE, DECEMBER 23, 2007...Click here...

 

 

Signing slab and walls of new building, Nov. 18 2007

Building Progress, Nov. 12, 2007

Progress continues, Sept. 24

To God be the Glory!

Wall panels lifted into place, beginning on Sept. 7... Photos

 

Building Progress, July 2007

Foundation work begins at 300 N Cleveland Ave.

June 24, 2007 - UPDATE - Click Here

March 18, 2007 - UPDATE - Click Here

GROUNDBREAKING, March 4 2007

January 28 Update - Click Here

November 19 Update - Click Here

First Baptist Long Beach Purchases 17 Acres For Worship Center Site

 First Baptist Church Long Beach Monday (Oct. 30 2006) announced the purchase of 17 acres, located at 300 North Cleveland Avenue north of Long Beach Middle School, for construction of a new worship center to replace buildings destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

 "We believe God has a plan for First Baptist Church to strengthen and expand our ministry," said Dr. LaRue Stephens, pastor. "This purchase is the first step toward rebuilding worship facilities that will help us meet the spiritual needs of families throughout Long Beach and the Gulf Coast."

 

 In June the church membership voted to move from its original location on Jeff Davis Avenue to a new site recommended by a Building Committee appointed earlier in the year. 

"The building committee investigated numerous properties in the city before asking the church membership to purchase this site," Chuck Reynolds, chairman of the church Building Committee, explained.

 "This new property offers our church many advantages: located in Flood Zone C which means lower insurance risk and cost; more centrally located than the site on Jeff Davis Avenue; and enough acreage for the church to expand in future years," he said.

 First Baptist Church has been located in downtown Long Beach since it was organized in 1909. Through the years, educational buildings, an office complex, preschool, and a $500,000 sanctuary were constructed to meet the needs of the church's resident membership which neared 1,000 before Hurricane Katrina.

 A master plan for long-range development of the new site is being finalized by the building committee which includes Reynolds, Ruby Blackwell, Alison Clay, Charles Dearman, Pete Meece, and Ginger Worth. The church has hired Lawrence Corley as Project Architect and Gary C. Wyatt as General Contractor, both headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Corley's firm has designed 150 buildings for 70 churches throughout the deep south, and Wyatt represents a firm with over 30 years experience.

 Since Hurricane Katrina, First Baptist Church has held Sunday morning worship services at 9 a.m. in the Long Beach Middle School gymnasium and Sunday School at 10:15 a.m. in various classrooms and in the school cafeteria. Church offices temporarily are located in Pecan Park Plaza, Suite B, on Pineville Road in Long Beach.

October 8, 2006 Update - Click Here

Master Plan Presentation, Sept. 10

July 30 Update- click here

JULY UPDATE, July 2

Site Update:

The Building Committee presented property options along with a recommendation to the Church Body on June 4, 2006. The recommendation was overwhelmingly approved on June 11, 2006. Mark Walley has completed the survey which confirms the property is 17 acres. Dr. D. R. Sanders assessed 5 acres in the northeast corner as wetlands which we plan to mitigate. Due diligence continues with a target closing date of August.  The Pierce family has decided not to sell the adjoining 6 acres at this time.

 Sub Committees:

Thanks to all of you who have accepted the call to serve on Sub-Committees in rebuilding our church.  The following Sub-Committees have been formed thus far:

Property: Mark Walley, Doug Molyneaux (Sawyer Realty) and Pete Meece.

Building Design:  Brenda Davis, Jerry Davis, John McCall, LaRue Stephens, Pete Ball, Dot Lott, and Ruby Blackwell.

Construction: Tommy Kellogg-Chair, Mel Smith-Vice Chair, Darcy Mogler-Secretary, Jerry Davis  and Charles Dearman.

Interior Design: Nancy Freeman, Jean Miller and Alison Clay.

Financial and Legal: David Clay-Chair, Dave Bethea-Vice Chair, Lillian Carte-Secretary, Tom Clifford, Jim Drummond, and Chuck Reynolds.

Publicity: Donald Dana and Ginger Worth.

Prayer: Lynn Sandburg and Alison Clay.  

We still have a number of unfilled positions on Sub-Committees. Pray for God’s guidance if you are called to serve.  We will advise you as positions are filled.  This task will take many of us to complete and could not be done without the many  hours of so many individuals. Thank  you. 

Master Plan: The Building Committee and several Sub-Committees are working with our Architect, Lawrence Corley on the Master Plan, specifically Phase One.  We hope to be in a position to present the Master Plan to the Church Body for approval sometime in late August or early September.

VOTE TAKEN, JUNE 11:      307 For;     9  Against  =     passed by 97% majority vote!

 

SPECIAL CALLED BUSINESS MEETING, JUNE 4

Outline of presentation by Building Committee:

 

Our Past (Pre-Katrina)

 We Love First Baptist Church Long Beach  We were saved and baptized there  We were married there  We had funerals there  We fellowshipped there  We worshipped there

Pre-Katrina Statistics

 550 Worship Service  480 Sunday School  $887,000 Annual Tithes/Offerings in 2005  $357,000 in long term land debt

Pre–Katrina Buildings

 Square Footage: 9,856 Jarman Hall;   9,360 Building B;   7,080 Building C;   16,601 Sanctuary;   5,436 Missionary Apts.;   1,596 Food Pantry;   49,929 Total

 Sanctuary Seating Capacity was 1000, the largest auditorium in Long Beach Pre-Katrina Land  We own 8 acres  5 acres south of 5th St., 3 acres north of 5th St.  Parking Facts  1 acre per 100 cars  Average 1 car for 2 people  150 spaces on 1.5 acres  125 parked elsewhere on 1.25 acres  Total Parking: 2.75 acres for 550 people Our Present (Post–Katrina)  We meet at the Middle School  Temporary offices on Pineville Road  Temporary Full-Time Preschool on Klondyke Road  $825,000 annual Tithes/Offerings projected despite 27% reduction in attendance (excludes gifts to church) Our Present (Post–Katrina)  400 Worship Service  360 Sunday School  200 cars park weekly (2 acres)  This situation can not be sustained indefinitely Our Future - Ministry Vision  Growth estimates: • 900 by 2008 • 1,300 by 2027 • 1,750 by 2057  1 acre needed per 100 people • 10 acres in 2008 (w/o recreation) • 17.5 acres by 2057 (w/o recreation)

Our Future - Ministry Vision

 Worship Services and Sunday School classes are only the beginning.  We want to be the center of community activity as the new Long Beach develops. Our Future - Ministry Vision

 Prioritize facilities based upon ministry needs  Maximize flexibility of facilities  Focus on community needs  Minister to community after disasters when need is greatest

Senior Ministries  Christian Life Center  Youth Center (hangout, athletics)  Outreach  Disaster Relief  Tutoring and After School Ministries

Full-time Weekday Preschool  Counseling  Medical Care  Auditorium for Community Events  School Activities  Singles Ministry Our Future -What are our options?

Guidelines for Evaluating Sites

Minister to the changing demographics of Long Beach  Within city limits  Visibility  Accessibility (including times of disaster)  High Ground  Generational Growth

Don’t encroach on sister churches  Architect’s 120 point checklist  Cost

Beach Site Concerns

Beach Site Insurance  Pre-Katrina FBC paid $53,181 annually for $4.8 million wind, $2.4 million flood and 0.3 million content policy limits.  Projected cost is 3 times higher if you could get the same policy limits.  Wind cap is $2.5 million  No stained glass or a steeple allowed  Mississippi Wind Pool provides additional $1 million.

Beach Site Insurance

 We know of no other wind carrier who will insure beach site currently.  Flood insurance limited to $500,000 per building. Beach Site Concerns  New flood plane requires elevating 6-8 feet (One Story) to obtain insurance.  $1,463,000 additional construction cost to elevate identical space.  Additional construction costs for handicapped access, elevators, etc.  Wave action in another Katrina event would still flood our 2nd story usable space.

Beach Site Concerns

Our site was not accessible after the storm. The Methodist church was not accessible even though it sustained relatively minor damage.  The population of Long Beach is shifting to the north. We want to be centrally located to best serve our community.

Other Sites We Considered

Post Katrina Commercial Property Valuation Study

 Sawyer Realty appraises post-Katrina commercial property value in Long Beach (north of the railroad tracks) at $90,000 per acre.

Post Katrina Commercial Property Valuation Study

 14 acres, Beatline Rd. next to large canal, $100,000 per acre  18.44 Acres, Brodie Rd. Biloxi, ~55% wetlands, $97,000 per acre  5 Acres north side of RR west side McDonnell Rd., Biloxi, $140,000 per acre  33 Acres, New Lorraine Rd & O’Neal Rd, ~33% wetlands, $91,000 per acre (First Baptist Gpt)

 

Building Committee Recommendation Acquire the following property:

 Butts Property (located corner of Cleveland Av and Allen Rd, just north of Long Beach Middle School): 17.3 acres at $85,260 per acre ($1,475,000)  Offer contingent on survey, title search, zoning and detailed site analysis Building Committee Recommendation In addition secure option to purchase the adjoining property:  Pierce Property (adjoins above immediately east, Allen Rd. & Nicholson Av): 6 acres, pending negotiation  Screens church property from residential development  Allows future growth and recreation Building Committee Recommendation A 1994 study showed 6 acres of wetlands on the Butts property:  New study underway  All 17 acres appear to be usable  Mitigation costs $0 to $60,000  Mitigation is normal when dealing with undeveloped coastal property Rationale for Recommendation  Excellent ministry opportunity  Center of Activity as Long Beach moves north  Selling Beach Site lets us buy more property at less cost:  $5 million value for Beach site  $1.5 million for Butts property (twice the land)  $3.5 million left over to buy the Pierce property and build new church  High visibility  Ease of access

Rationale for Recommendation

Lower insurance risk and cost. Insurance is available to cover full property value.  Property is on high ground in Zone C with an elevation of 25 to 27 feet.  Beach properties will have more condo and large commercial development in future.  $1,463,000 cost to elevate identical space at beach site pays for the land.  Allows Generational growth for 21st Century.

 

Building Budget

Estimated cost to build 50,000 sq. ft. (our former space) is $12 million including purchase of land.

Available Funds $ 412,500 Gift from MS Baptist Convention $2,604,000 Flood Insurance $4,023,051 Current Wind Offer (Reviewing) $ (357,000) Pay Off of Land Indebtedness $6,682,551 Total Available Funds  Equity $5,000,000 Estimated Value of Current Property (May not be available for Phase 1) Building Budget Potential Funds  FEMA Loan Eligibility @ 2.6% interest rate  Grants ($35,000 from Bush/Clinton Fund)  Capital Fund Raising Program  Normal borrowing  Special Gifts

Summary; Q&A

Pray carefully and listen for God’s direction as we vote on the future site of FBC Long Beach.  There will be a ballot vote at the beginning of the Worship Service next Sunday, June 11, 2006.

Ballot will read:

I vote to purchase “The Butts" property at the price of $1,475,000 and secure an option to purchase “The Pierce” property as the future site of First Baptist Church Long Beach.

_____Yes                    _____No     (Pierce property purchase will be voted on after option price is secured)

BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATE

May 14, 2006

SITE:

The Building Committee is in the final phase of information gathering in its evaluation of our current property and alternate sites. We are now consolidating the data for our presentation to the Church Body.  On June 4, 2006 the Building Committee will present its site analysis starting promptly at 11:20 a.m. (after Sunday School) in a special called business meeting.  We will answer any questions regarding the analysis.  The Building Committee will make its recommendation to the Church Body regarding the future site of FBC Long Beach.  A summary of our analysis will be distributed after the meeting.  On June 11, 2006,  the Church Body will vote by ballot regarding the future site of our church. This ballot vote will be taken during the church worship service with results announced at the conclusion of the service. Please pray for God’s clear guidance as we decide where our church can best serve the needs of our community during the 21st century.

 

SUB COMMITTEES:

We have made contact with many of you requesting your service on sub-committees to support the growing needs of rebuilding our church.  Over time, we will form sub-committees for Building Design, Construction, Materials Design and Furnishing, Financial and Legal, Publicity, Prayer and Memorials.  The Property Sub-Committee is already in place and has done a great job in data gathering and analysis of the best site for our church. We thank this team for their extraordinary efforts over the past few months.  Pete Meece, Mark Walley; supported by Doug Molyneaux of Sawyer Realty and our Architect, Lawrence Corley make up this Sub-Committee.  We are in the process of forming three additional Sub-Committees including Financial and Legal, Publicity and Prayer.  Publicity will work to keep the Church Body and general public better informed of our progress. The prayer committee will bathe this effort in prayer. We are contacting members and will let everyone know when these committees are in place. Pray for God’s direction if you are contacted to serve. We hope you take this opportunity to serve the Lord and the Church Body as we build a new house of worship. Our goal is to have these committees in place in June 2006. 

 

DOCUMENTATION AND SURVEYS:

Thank you for taking the time to complete the surveys regarding our church ministries and priorities over the short and long term. There are still several of you who have not returned the surveys. Please remember your input is critical to establish ministry needs, capacity requirements, and to prioritize phase 1 building needs. Please complete and return your surveys to the Church Office or place them in the box at the entrance to the gym by Sunday, May 21, 2006. Don’t hesitate to contact any member of the building committee if you have questions or need clarification regarding the survey.  

BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATE

April 23, 2006

SITE:

Evaluation of our current property and alternate sites remains the Committee’s top priority.  As you know, the body must make a site decision before our master plan can be completed.  We continue to gather and analyze data on sites with 15-20 acres of contiguous property located within the east/west Long Beach city limits and South of 28th Street.  For information and comparison, we have also gathered data on a few properties North of 28th Street.  The Committee has now prioritized  the land options available.  We will review our site analysis and make a recommendation to the church body for vote as soon as possible.  We can not yet schedule a business meeting as some issues affecting timing are beyond our control.  We ask for your patience as we work through the process.  We know that God will show us the location he has already chosen for First Baptist Long Beach to serve the needs of our community in the next century.

 

SUB COMMITTEES:

We need to establish several Sub-Committees to support the growing needs of rebuilding our church.  These Committees will include Building Design, Construction, Materials Design and Furnishings, Financial and Legal, Publicity, Property Acquisition, Prayer and Memorials.  We have established the Property Acquisition Sub Committee which includes Pete Meece and Mark Walley; supported by Doug Molyneaux of Sawyer Realty and our Architect Lawrence Corley.  We are in the process of forming three additional Sub Committees, which are Financial and Legal, Publicity, and Prayer.  We need these Committees to get started as soon as possible. The Financial and Legal Sub Committee will develop our budget, coordinate fund raising, find grants, and manage financial issues.  Publicity will work to keep the church body and general public better informed of our progress.  The Prayer Committee will bathe this effort in prayer and initiate prayer chains by asking God for direction as we move forward. We are contacting members and will let everyone know when these Committees are in place.

 

SURVEYS MAILED:

The Committee has gathered and presented information about our church (e.g., demographics, ministries, property, financials, etc.) to the Architect, Lawrence Corley.  This data will be used in the upcoming master planning  phase as soon as the church body makes a decision on a site.  More than 150 detailed surveys were mailed this week to a cross-section of the body requesting thorough input on capacity requirements and to prioritize phase one building needs.  Please read the instructions carefully and prayerfully consider your answers. We ask that you complete and return the surveys to the church office or place them in the survey box at the entrance to the gym by Sunday, May 7, 2006.

Special points of interest:

     If you receive a survey please return by May 7 to the Church office

     If you need clarification please feel free to contact any member of the Building Committee.

     Please continue to pray for the Building Committee.

FBC Long Beach Building Committee - Business Meeting Update

April 2, 2006

 General

The building committee is very proud to serve the church body.  We need your prayers for God’s clear guidance in the rebuilding of FBC Long Beach. 

 

Architect

    We have interviewed 5 architectural candidates (Fauntleroy & Latham + Blitch Knevel, JH&H, Curtis Doss, Foxhollow Goodson and Lawrence Corley).   The committee rated the firms in the areas of experience, style, resources, location, chemistry, and passion for Christ.

    We recommend Lawrence Corley (Corley-Timothy-Sweeney-McCormac & Associates) as our choice to move into the site analysis and master planning phases of development.  Their thorough process map (including documentation on surveying the body, site analysis, budgeting, master planning, detail design, contractor selection, construction, and scheduling gives them a clear advantage over the other firms.  In addition, their references are overwhelmingly positive.

    We recommend you visit the firm’s website (www.ctsmarchitects.com) to review their experience in planning over 200 churches.

 

Communication

More than 100 detailed surveys will be mailed this week to a cross section of the body requesting thorough input on capacity requirements and to prioritize phase 1 building needs.  Please read the instructions carefully and prayerfully consider your answers.     

 

Site

·         Evaluation of our current site and alternate sites is the committee’s top priority.  The body must make a site decision before our master plan can be completed.  If we decide to move, time is not our friend because we are competing with numerous commercial developers.

·         Sawyer Realty has been helping the committee identify alternate locations.

·         We have identified a few sites with 15-20 acres of contiguous property located within the east/west Long Beach city limits and south of 28th Street.  We believe these properties have adequate accessibility and would serve Long Beach’s changing demographic profile.  We need to determine if they are free of soil, elevation, water, environmental, zoning, etc. issues. 

·         Accordingly, in today’s business meeting we are asking the body for permission to hire Lawrence Corley (and his civil engineer) to complete a detailed site analysis of current and alternate locations.  They will deliver a white paper identifying the pros/cons of our options including:

1.       Current site Issues

o        Elevation change and construction cost due to new flood plain

o        Construction limitations

o        Insurance cost and caps

o        Handicapped access issues

2.       Feasibility Study of Alternate Sites

3.       Recommendation to the Body

 

Request Permission to Spend Monies on Site Analysis as Part of the Master Plan

Site Analysis is driving the critical path.  We need to get over this hump before a detailed master plan can be developed. 

·     We request church body approval to hire the architectural firm of Corley-Timothy-Sweeney-McCormac & Associates to complete a site analysis study and begin the master planning phase of development.  Estimated cost is $23,000.  If undetermined issues arise which require additional funds; we will bring another request to the body and/or stewardship committee depending on the amount of money required.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

Alison Clay, Charles Dearman, Chuck Reynolds, Ginger Worth, Pete Meece, Ruby Blackwell

 CONGREGATION - YOUR INPUT REQUESTED

February 26, 2006

The Building Committee would like to invite you to meet with them to share your input, concerns, etc. regarding our rebuilding process. The committee will meet on Sunday afternoons from 2:00 until 3:30 at the Church Office Annex. If you would like to sign up for a time slot, please sign the form in the foyer on Sundays, or call the Church Office, 864-2584 to have your name put on the list. For more info, call the Church Office.

FBC Long Beach - Building Committee Communique

February 19, 2006

The building committee has interviewed 2 of 5 potential architectural firms. We are confident that God will provide a firm with the skills, resources, experience, and passion for Christ needed for our new church. We should be in a position to make a recommendation to the body by the end of March.

 

Researching alternate sites is a vital concern for the committee considering the rate at which developers are acquiring property. We have a commercial realtor helping to identify possible locations. Please pray that God would provide clear direction in this area.

 

We are planning to conduct a survey and meetings to better understand the needs of the church body, starting in early March.

Please be patient with the committee as we work through the process.

 

Respectfully submitted, Building Committee –

   Alison Clay, Charles Dearman, Chuck Reynolds, Ginger Worth, Pete Meece, Ruby Blackwell

FBC Long Beach – Building Committee Communiqué

February 2, 2006

      The building committee met for the first time on Wednesday 1.25.06.  Chuck Reynolds and Ginger Worth were selected as chairman and secretary respectively.   We recognize the awesome responsibility of rebuilding God’s house; but we know it is only a minor detail for God.   

      The rebuilding process will require several phases including concept development, design, and preparation.  We have kicked off the concept phase.  We request your prayers for God’s clear guidance as we move forward.  We realize that the church body is anxious to establish a new home but we ask for your patience as we work through the process. 

      Discussion focused on a few key issues during the meeting.

     Communication

The committee understands that we are only a small cross section of our church.  We plan to develop a survey and conduct meetings with individuals and/or groups to better understand specific needs of the body.  We will communicate regularly as information becomes available.  Special business meetings will be called as financial decisions arise. 

      Location

The committee discussed some of the issues associated with rebuilding at the current site.

·          Insurance premiums will increase significantly.  We don’t know the full impact; but could face premium increases of 100% for flood, wind and content coverage.   

·          FEMA has not formally established a new flood plane but our buildings will not be grandfathered.  This means that new construction would have to be elevated several feet at substantial cost. 

·          The American Disabilities Act requires 12 feet of run for each foot of elevation for disabled ramp access; also requiring substantial space and cost. 

 We will contact a commercial realtor to begin research on the availability and financial feasibility of alternate locations.

     Architectural/Construction Firms

     We are planning a series of interviews with architectural/construction firms over the next 4 to 6 weeks.  As we go through the evaluation process, we will be careful to recommend a firm with the right experience, technical skills, and passion for our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 —Respectfully submitted, FBC Building Committee -

Alison Clay, Charles Dearman,  Chuck Reynolds, Ginger Worth,  Pete Meece, Ruby Blackwell

 

Send mail to the  Webservant with questions or comments about this web site.            
Copyright © 2008 First Baptist Church, Long Beach, MS