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43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, April 3, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend March 30, 2005 Rob Tresch, left, and Sam Tilden work on Jacksonville First Presbyterian Church�s new building on Tuesday. Church officials say the cost has more than doubled because of delays and design changes. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Church delays beget cost increases Jacksonville’s First Presbyterian Church’s building budget has more than doubled in its 10-year battle with City Hall By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune JACKSONVILLE — The First Presbyterian Church expansion project is under way but over budget, church leaders say. "We originally estimated roughly $2.2 million," said Cal Pipal, chairman of the church building committee. "Now we’re up to $4.7 million." The cost of the 18,163-square-foot project more than doubled during the decade-long legal battle between proponents and opponents that ended in May. Construction began in August. Pipal said the enormity of the financial load created by construction delays and design changes was unanticipated. "It surprised us, too," he said. Advertisement The increases resulted in part from the city’s request that the church split the project into three buildings, instead of one large structure as originally planned. Consultant George Kramer helped architect David Skelton create a plan that satisfied the town’s design requirements. But the design changes also increased costs, said Pipal. Additionally, he said, the church was forced to spend another $1 million preparing its 10-acre site adjacent to the Pheasant Meadows neighborhood. "We had to make sure we didn’t disturb the wetlands," he said. "And there were some drainage issues that we had to take care of." The final design includes a large main building that will house the sanctuary and a fellowship hall. The two smaller buildings are for classrooms and church offices. Foundations have been poured on all three structures in order to comply with the city’s conditional use permit, said Pipal. But the buildings will be constructed one at a time. "The plan has not changed," said Pipal. "But the timing may be slowed down." Pipal said the church does not have enough funds to complete the project. He is unsure if the rest of the money will be collected through donations or if the church will attempt to secure a loan. "We’ve got enough money to keep going on the main building. But not enough to complete," said Pipal. "I keep telling (the funding committee), ‘you bring the money in, we’ll spend it.’" Church membership is climbing, said Pipal. Two services are now being held at Cascade Christian High School. The church’s original building in downtown Jacksonville is too small for anything other than weddings and a small "traditional" service on Sunday. In time, Pipal said he’s confident all three structures will be built. "Construction is going well. We aren’t rushing it, but we’re not holding back," said Pipal. The congregation is being more than generous, he said. "Our feeling is that we’ll have enough. People have been giving very generously — beyond our expectations," said Pipal. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Distance Education Diamonds Slippers Student Loans afsa teleconferencing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoo Fasa Advertisement s