B&G Update for Newsletter

     G’day fellow Red Door Parishioners! Here is a report from the Buildings & Grounds Committee on what’s been happening most recently with our facilities.

      Fountain House Update Fountain House has been rented as of June 1! Things are going very well with our property manager and tenants. A huge thank you to all the volunteers who helped get the house rent-ready! We have already had to repair the air conditioning unit—special thanks to Aire Solutions for coming out late on a Friday night to make that happen.

     The roof and gutters at Fountain House were in emergency condition and needed replacement. Thankfully, the Diocese awarded us a $6,000 grant toward the $14,000 roof replacement. We’re currently gathering bids for new gutters. The Finance Committee is reserving 10% of the monthly rent for repairs, but that won’t cover all costs. To help, they approved using $8,000 from an insurance claim related to water damage to fund the roof work.

     Parish Hall & CEC Update The air conditioning unit serving the narthex, restrooms, sacristy, and vesting room failed after 30 years. Peters Service of Marble Hill offered the lowest bid and fastest turnaround for the replacement. That was an unexpected $10,000 expense. The Vestry approved using the Endowment to pay for the replacement.

     The Parish Hall’s flat roof has been replaced. During the project, we experienced some leaking and water damage, but JAEG Roofing covered the cost of ServPro’s mitigation services and handled related repairs. JAEG also quickly patched another major leak not associated with the flat roof as well as identified problems with the brick and mortar. Though they applied a temporary fix, we plan to install a more permanent solution. This will occur concurrently during the Fountain House roof project.

     Grounds & Outdoor Updates Many thanks to Kevin Timlin and the Towners for maintaining the landscaping at both Fountain House and the church!

     Church Building Needs The church gutters need to be replaced, and we’re currently getting bids. The portico is leaking, and unfortunately, the wood under the aluminum trim has rotted. Repairs will begin with fixing the leak, followed by addressing the woodwork. Additionally, the wood framing around the main door and front windows needs replacement.

     Your Buildings & Grounds Committee—Carl Muench, Gina Thomas, Brooke Clubbs, Joey West, and John McGowan—is actively working on prioritizing repairs and maintenance. From there, we will work with the Finance Committee and Vestry to budget for them.
Some upcoming ideas (no decisions have been made!) include:
· Restoring the front fountain
· Adding a wheelchair ramp near the accessible parking, as well as a threshold ramp at the front door
· Updating the Narthex with more welcoming and informative signage

     We are seeking grants from the Diocese and even Historic Preservation Funds to assist in mitigating costs. We welcome your input and are always looking for ways to save the church money through volunteer efforts and smart budgeting.

     If you have suggestions or would like to get involved, please reach out to Carl or Gina. We’re also looking for new committee members—consider joining us if this ministry fits your gifts!