Home
Upcoming
Past Speakers
Newsletter
Contact Us
Members
Join
Links
Affiliations

- Humanist Community Center   Building Fund -  



The Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix has a new, permanent home in the Valley of the Sun! We are undertaking a major remodeling project, and your generous contribution will benefit Humanists from all over the Valley . Our new building will welcome Humanists now and in generations to come. This Humanist Community Center will have ample room for our meetings, book club, library, storage, parking and even a child education classroom for the youngsters (who are, after all, the future of Humanism). Your support will go a long way towards making it all possible!     Return To Donation Form

Humanist Community Center Building FAQs Page

Faqs

Humanist Community Center Renovation


Project Status to Date:

January
  • Board refreshed the estimate-to-complete, general contractor bids obtained
  • Property value estimated
  • Membership meeting held to assess support of renovation project and get
February
  • Pledge drive kickoff on February 7th
  • Successfully raised $158,000 in pledges
  • Decision to proceed with renovation project
March
  • Pre-submittal meeting with City of Mesa to review building plans
  • Review of electrical service design with SRP field engineer, contract in process
  • Did site visits with potential general contractor to two of his ongoing jobs
April
  • Submitted building plans to Mesa on April 1
  • Board appraisal of potential general contractor completed
  • Pledge collection underway as of April 6
  • Comments received from City of Mesa for 3rd submittal on April 15
  • A 4th submittal is required due to expired professional seals on some of the plans and updates to fire code
May
  • Plans updated and 4th submittal made to City of Mesa on May 18
  • Contract terms and statement of work finalized with general contractor
  • SRP disconnected main power to the building
June
  • Contract signed with General Contractor June 4th
  • Plans approved and permits issued by City of Mesa on June 8th
  • Bracing done and roof demolition completed on June 11
  • Wall demolition complete as of June 12
  • Grading, leveling and soil preparation for concrete pour; soil compaction sample and certification complete
  • Volunteer Henry Geist installs copper piping for water heater installation June 23-25
  • Trenches dug for new restroom and patio footers as of June 23
  • Underground plumbing laid in footer trenches as of June 25
  • Forms placed for concrete footers; City inspection of plumbing; backfill & aggregate added June 28
  • Rebar placed in footer trenches; City inspection prior to concrete pour
  • Concrete footers and slabs poured for new restroom, patio and assembly hall June 30 & July 1
July
  • Framing layout complete
  • Rough framing of new rooms complete July 13
  • Patio framing delayed awaiting concrete repour for patio and sidewalk
  • Volunteers Chuck Lesher and Richard Dewey begin installing new windows and doors in old building July 12
  • External wall sheathing installed on new assembly hall and restroom
  • Patio framing underway July 17
  • Volunteer Richard Dewey braces the flooring under new location for water heater
  • Trenches and rebar completed for trash can barrier wall footers July 19
  • All lighting fixtures, ceiling tiles and new water heater purchased July 19
  • Volunteers Henry Geist and Richard Dewey complete water heater installation July 21
  • As-built dimensions taken to finalize trusses; truss installation begins July 29
  • The new door on the southwest room is finally installed after chipping away old concrete and cutting rebar, enlarging the doorway, building a new lintel, mortaring and shimming. Whew! Begun on July 12th, on July 31 it is finally complete.
August
  • Kitchen ceiling framing completed; final truss installation complete Week of August 1-7
  • All wall and roof sheathing installed Week of August 1-7
  • Purchase and storage of all plumbing fixtures August 4
  • New low-e windows installed in all south and west facing rooms
  • Water heater closet door installed, trap door access built
  • New doorway cut for back bedroom; door installed August 9, 10
  • Strap and shear inspection complete August 10
  • Old bathroom adobe wall stucco added, windows prepped for stucco
  • Roofing on new addition completed
  • All rough-ins begin: electrical, plumbing, fire protection, HVAC
September
  • Electrical, HVAC, and plumbing rough-in inspection passed September 2

Plans Going Forward:

September
  • Fire protection rough-in inspection complete
  • Pre-drywall preparation
  • Insulation and drywall installed
  • Flooring & plumbing fixtures installed in new restroom
  • Old bathroom flooring installed & bathroom finished
  • Drop ceiling installed in assembly hall
  • Trim and doors installed, interior painting completed
  • Electrical conduit trench dug and lined
  • Main power reconnected to building
  • Grading for parking lot and driveway
  • Trash can barrier wall footers poured; block wall started
  • Landscaping plan resubmitted to Mesa for review and approval
October - November
  • Stucco and paint building exterior
  • Final finishes on building including exterior lighting
  • Trash can barrier wall constructed
  • Drive and parking lot constructed
  • Walkway pavers installed
  • Landscaping installed
  • Final walk-thru, inspections, and Certificate of Occupancy issued
December
  • Move-in and Celebration!

Top

HCC Pledge Drive


WE DID IT!

Goals:

  • Raise $158,000 in one-time donations & loans
    • Receive pledges of monthly donations sufficient to pay back loans within five years
  • Celebrate Winter Solstice 2010 in our new Humanist Community Center


Progress to Date:

# of contributors94
One-time donations     $54,054
Member loans$104,000
Monthly donations$1,979

Total of One-time Donations plus Loans:   $158,054

Monthly pledge needed to support $104K loans: $1979

Contributors:

Pledges of $10,000 and up: Henry Geist, Anne Mardick, Mary McPherson, Bruce & Kathy Pettycrew, Harold Saferstein & Doreen Saferstein

Pledges of $6000 to $9999: Larry & Seija Farber, Stephen Grams, John & Gabrielle Sadowsky, Bruce Stiles & Ann Marie Eisentraut, Jerry & Judy Walp,

Pledges of $3000 to $5999: Chris Comer, Susan Fallon, Dave Fischer, Jr., Sandy & Susan Grunbaum, Zenaido Quintana & Jennifer White, Bruce Ratcliff, Susan Sackett, Matt & Tracy Schoenley, Stuart Scott, Jan Wright

Pledges of $1000 to $2999: anonymous (2), Rebecca Beltran, Jeanne Devine, Vici Duarte, Allan & Ellen Gittleman, James & Louise Grant, Fritz Hardt, Barbara Hare, Dorothy Janca, Karl McKinney, Alan & Shelley Newman, Michelle Popejoy, Leo & Myra Rubinstein, Thomas & Mary Ann Schimke, Karl Schmidt, Jay & Georgia Strisik, Nina Sullivan, Toni Sutter, Nona Whitman, Carol Wintermute, Michael Winters

Pledges of $100 to $999: anonymous, Thomas & Marilynn Anderson, David & Susan Archibold, Anthony Barnhart, Betty Bucey, Ralph D'Afflitto, Jim Delton, Johnny Dust, Elizabeth Eisentraut, Sharlot Eisentraut, Lois Fenley, Mike Franklin, Eileen Friend, Ed & Libby Goff, Darlene Haring, John & Roberta Hayes, Ken Hillstrom & Linda Lord, Luke & Gail Holton, John & Barb Huff, Donald & Betty Kaiser, John Kelly, Frank & Jo Anne Knell, Marc & Fay Korn, Kersti Kringlie, Steven McGovern, Ian McKee & Margaret Wright, Bruce Merrill, Rosalie Pearson, Bobbi Rhodes, James & Marie Richardson, Anita Romanowski, Marianne Shaw, Jack Silver & Sharon Tolman, Teddi Smokler, Jim Speiser, Jane Suppan, Beverly Terry, Roy & Lou Towne, Greg Vokoun, Al & Linda Wendler, Vivian J. Willinger, John Wurm

Pledges up to $99: anonymous, David & Patricia Despain, M. Lyn DuPont, Scott Hunter, Susan Katz, Art Felsinger, Louis Lantz, Rita Ruks, Alice Seaborne, Kelly Turk

Loan pledges of $5,000 to $25,000: anonymous, Art Felsinger, Lois Fenley, Dave Fischer, Jr., Sandy & Susan Grunbaum, Anne Mardick, Alan & Shelley Newman, Bruce Ratcliff


Top

Questions


Where can I find the Humanist Community Center Status slide presentation given to members on January 24, 2010?

We have raised almost $100,000 for this project. Where has all the money gone?

Why is it taking so long to complete the building and property renovations?

What is the estimated cost to complete the renovation project?

Why has the estimated cost to complete grown so much from the original estimate?

What financial options are being considered to raise money to complete the renovation?

Why does HSGP need to own a building to hold meetings and social events?

What are the essential (must have) requirements for the building and adjacent property?

Do we have a recent appraisal for the property including an estimate of the value after renovation is complete?


Answers



Where can I find the Humanist Community Center Status slide presentation given to members on January 24, 2010?

The slide presentation can be found at this link: Humanist Community Center Status - Slide Presentation    back


We have raised almost $100,000 for this project. Where has all the money gone?

Expenditures for the renovation stood at $87,894 through December 2009.
A detailed list of each item is available, however, the major components are as follows:

contractor fees to install larger sewer & water lines $38,906
design services to develop and review the plan$16,212
permit and impact fees for property and building plans $14,926
materials, tools, appliances, furnishings $11,742
fence rental, termite treatment, & maintenance, e.g. tree removal$ 6,108


The Building Fund had $29,742 available at the end of 2009.    back


Why is it taking so long to complete the building and property renovations?

The work is mostly being done with volunteer labor from HSGP membership. In September 2009, the HSGP board decided to investigate the use of all contract labor to complete the project more quickly. Bids have been received from several general contractors.

A few factoids about the work that has been done to date:
  • Hundreds of hours have been donated to generate the 33 sheets of the official blueprints as well as close to 10 additional pages of design details.
  • Volunteers continue to maintain the yard and have also completed the following as part of the renovation

    • Basement cleared of mudflow and debris, wall reinforced
    • House interior gutted in readiness for great hall construction
    • Old bathroom plumbed and fixtures installed, floor replaced
    • Exterior and interior painting partially complete
    • Roof repaired

  • Multiple subcontractor bids have been received for each major portion of the renovation, e.g. paving and concrete, framing and trusses, fire protection system, and electrical. The best value for our hard-earned dollars is being sought.
    back


What is the estimated cost to complete the renovation project?

Based on estimates drawn from previous subcontractor bids and research done by board members, the estimate to complete is between $160,000 and $170,000. The current economic situation may result in lower bids for some of the work. However, to speed the project along a general contractor may be hired which will add to the cost. The board has received several bids with the lowest one having a total cost close to $190k. This includes the contractor's project management costs and profit; and adds the costs that will still be borne by HSGP such as Mesa and SRP fees, and material for volunteer efforts such as landscaping and plumbing fixture installation. The close to $30K available in the Building Fund leaves $140k to $160k in required funding.    back


Why has the estimated cost to complete grown so much from the original estimate?

The 1946 adobe home was a private residence and the original estimates accounted for renovations needed to make this a usable building for HSGP meetings and other social events. However, the A3 assembly permit required for the occupancy capacity and density to accommodate our group, results in specific improvements to meet building and fire codes. Additionally, the cost of the permit fees was greatly underestimated failing to take into account the various city services impact and technology improvement fees. The following list captures the major cost drivers of the variance from the original estimates:
  • Fire code impacts due to occupancy type and density

    • Fire suppression – required higher water pressure water line and raising of the great hall ceiling to accommodate sprinkler heads; est. $10,000 added costs
    • Exit signs and lighting, exit doors - $4,200

  • Larger sewer and water lines – installation required digging up road, traffic cops to direct traffic, higher cost than original bid; $6,000 added costs
  • City impact fees and permits – the original $7,000 estimate has grown to almost $20,000, of which $14,926 has been paid
  • Electrical – requires 400 amp circuit breaker panel to accommodate new load including (3) A/C units; the SRP portion alone is $5,700 – est. $8,600 total added
  • Materials estimates are now complete – added $22,000
  • Property improvements must be done before occupancy permit is issued – driveway & parking lot paving, landscaping, trash bin wall w/stucco; added $66,000 total
    back


What financial options are being considered to raise money to complete the renovation?

HSGP has completed a pledge drive raising over $158,000 in donations and member loans to raise the amount needed to hire a general contractor to complete the renovation in 2010. Monthly pledges will be used to payoff the loans within five years with applicable interest.    back


Why does HSGP need to own a building to hold meetings and social events?

HSGP was founded to promote humanistic ideals based on ethics, rationalism and human concerns, and to educate the public about these ideals. We are now the largest chapter of the American Humanist Association and have an opportunity to promote humanism and freethought to a wider audience in our community.

Why own rather than lease a property?
  • Have control over the property usage and configuration
  • Membership size has outgrown the typical restaurant meeting room
  • Want to add childhood education programs attractive to families
  • Provides a physical presence in the community at large
  • Demonstrates stability and stewardship to members and potential donors
While ownership is not essential to accomplishing our strategic goals, it certainly provides an empowering independence and eases the scheduling burden and usage limitations inherent in sharing space controlled by others.    back


What are the essential (must have) requirements for the building and adjacent property?

Whether we continue renovation on this property, or seek another option, listed below are the essential requirements as defined by the Building Usage committee. After renovation, the existing property will meet these essential requirements.

  • Meeting room for 200 seated in rows or 150 at tables
  • At least 10 foot ceilings for projection screen
  • Food warming (kitchen) area sufficient for caterer’s use
  • Abundant library shelf space
  • Two classrooms for preschool and elementary ages
  • Meets A3 occupancy codes, e.g. fire code, wheelchair accessibility, parking capacity, landscaping, etc.
    back


Do we have a recent appraisal for the property including an estimate of the value after renovation is complete?

An estimate of the property value was provided by one of our members and her real estate associates. Currently (2010), the value is less than half the original purchase price due to the poor real estate market. Also, in its current condition, the building is not saleable due to the demolition already done to prepare for the great hall and new restroom construction.    back

Top