AIM 2000 – 1995-1997 Reality sets in

Below is a summary of the intended AIM 2000 work

1 Exterior

Painting church

2 Interior

Facility Rehab 1 Faulkner, McGuire with a new stair

Facility Rehab 2 –  Nave and Sydnor (family Room)

The original project cost total was $2,472,000.

Construction Costs:

Base elements                     $1,593,000
Fire Suppression                       146,000 
Hardous materials                     122,000

Total                                   $1,861,000

Estimated A/E design fees        $280,000
Price escalation                       $107,000
Project Contingency                 $224,000

Total Project                         $2,472,000

There was a study done to enlarge the chancel but after a survey was abandoned.

Phase I of Fundraising began May, 1994 under Pam Jewett Bullett and Ed Watson.   Callers made in-home visits.  The original goal in 1993 was $3,448,700 over a five year period from April 1, 1994 to Dec. 31, 1999

By January, 1995, the church had received pledges of $480,000 of which $116,000 had been paid.  There was wide gap between expectations and pledges as well as between expected costs to complete the project.

Earl Baughman was appointed in 1994 to lead the campaign committee. There were saleable items produced – including St. George’s Heritage Cookbook led by Sylvia Hopkins.  This netted $3,000 . There was also a series of cards on the stained glass windows produced by   Pam Jewett-Bullock.  Hopes diminished that pledges would pickup

Most of 1995 was spent deciding if an external fund raising consultant was necessary. They met with two and midyear the Capital Planning and Preservation Committee (CPFC) which was directing Aim 2000 decided on Resource Services. They voted to go with them because  of “their spiritual approach, flexibility and the use of more parishioners in the campaign. Resource Services was hired to begin a series of fundraising beginning in Lent 1996. Earl believed the group would supply needed organizational structure and discipline.

The Vestry had questions.  What would be the costs of going back to the architect to modify plans based on what funds could be raised. Also from Julie Schwarz “a year and a half into the program is it realistic to expect involvement from 2/3 of the parish.”   There were still questions on exactly where the money was to going to be spent which had hindered fundraising.  

Earl responded that once the consultant provided information on what could be raised the CPFC could develop priorities. In any case Earl said that restoration would be a priority. There was the need to contact people who had already given so they could be included in the process.  The minutes stressed the tasks – “how much will be raised, how will it be spent, and an actual schedule what needs to be done.”

Pledges had only increased to $500K by Sept, 1995. Assets were $139,087 in cash and investment accounts compared to $44,174 a year earlier.

With the 1996 Vestry minutes missing we don’t know what happened to that effort.   No further mention of that group was found in succeeding years.  It doesn’t appear they were used.

The goal in 1997 was to raise $1.2 million  to start on the physical plan issues – heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical systems, plumbing, fire suppression, asbestos abatement, masonry and external paint.  However, the funding for AIM 2000 did not improve significantly – the fund had $425K in May, 1997.

By March 1997, there was  a Quiet Committee and developed two lists – those who had not made a gift but could probably afford to do so and those who had given a gift but possibly could be persuade to give more. They had also applied to the Diocese to borrow money.  By May, 1997 they had raised $72K.

An eternal painting contract was signed in May 1997  Painting continued through the summer with the scaffolding coming down in August.

By July they found additional work –

1 Power lines had to be moved or wrapped in the back ($7,000) 1/3 of cost due to the work of George Van Sant

2 stained glass window lexan removed and wood patched and covers cleaned and replace ($3,100)

3 Patching window sills $2,800

4 Louvers in the Belfry $800

Also timing had to be adjusted for some interior work to begin earlier – namely replacing the boiler which was on its last legs.  Cameron Thompson, the president of Robert B. Payne played a major role working separately from the architect. Actually both chose the same model to be used. The church would shift from oil to gas.  In first stage the boiler replacement was to heat the church itself with later Faulkner and McGuire connected.   They began to bid the boiler in August 1997 as the painting was winding down. Work included removal of asbestos, fireproofing the walls and ceiling. The estimated cost was $93,500 not including $6,580 for other costs ($5,000 to engineering company- Vanderweil Engineering).  Problems with the engineering company ensued and it ended that Robert B. Payne completed the work by Oct., 1997

Another side project was the sound system .   The current system only had 2 speakers  and there were “dead zones “ in the church.  The cordless microphone was also picking up extraneous sounds. This replacement of the sound system was led by Stephen Hu . The church contracted with Audio Services of Va. which proposed dividing the nave into zones and replacing all microphones  along with the amplifier.

By the end of 1997, the next phase of Aim 2000 was to begin to include interior work in Faulkner and McGurie.