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The permit hearing before the Zoning Board for Parkersburg went without a hitch last week (May
21st). Approval for the main portion of Phase I (all, but the changes to Joan Street parking behind
Hope House) was granted without dissent from the public, or objection from the board. Three out
of five of the Board were present for the quorum and the vote was unanimous. Our thanks to those
who attended to lend their support at the meeting.
We then found out that our project plans had to be reviewed by the State Fire Marshall (vs. the
Parkersburg Fire Dept.), so we now are awaiting final approvals from the state office.
God provided a beautiful day for Ground Breaking on Sunday, May 25. Attending were Mike Noel, our
architect, Cassie Bowen, our General Contractor representative and a good crowd from our congregation.
Closing with Williamstown Bank on the construction loan is complete.
Update: 4/27/08
As a formality of the financing the construction loan with Williamstown National Bank a statement
was read, starting April 27th, notifying the congregation that the bank is offering a line of credit up
to maximum amount of $650,000 for the construction period. Last Sunday, Mother's Day, a vote was
taken to acknowledge the financing of this amount and approve acceptance of the encumberment.
The vote passed overwhelming positive, >98%. This was a formal requirement of the bank to ensure
a legal and binding loan arrangement with the church.There was a pre-construction meeting on Thurs., April 10th. During the meeting we met the
contractors and began to work on a schedule, shared contact information and asked/answered
any questions regarding site access, work hours, security and Sunday normalcy. Due to some
unexpected delays the next meeting will be June 5th.
We have a couple of key dates on the calendar... please keep as a matter of prayer.
May 21st... will be a hearing before the City Planning committe at which we will learn whether or
not we will be awarded permits for the planned work on our main campus and building.
Assuming success (very likely)... A ground breaking ceremony will be planned for May 25
(Memorial Weekend) with construction to begin right after the holiday.
I truly believe this is a defining moment for the future of Emmanuel Baptist church. We
haven't prayed so much, worked so hard, given so freely, planned so carefully, and seen
God's leading so clearly to turn back now. The team has said "Let's Go!" The Board of
Ministry has said "Let's Go!" We hope that the vast majority of our voting membership will
join with us on March 9th to give a resounding "GO" to the Phase I project.
Have you ever seen the new show on the Weather Channel called "When Weather Changed History"?
That's what happened this weekend. The Project Vote was to be today, March 9, but... Due to the
snow storm which left us covered with 4in. of white stuff, the decision was made to delay the vote for
one week, due to an expected low turn-out for Sunday worship. Now the same forum material will be
covered in a less-detailed way (hopefully) before the vote during the SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING
after the 10:45 am worship service on Sunday, March 16.
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