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"Continuing
The Vision"
The Steering Committee
Suggestions/Findings/Rationale
Letter To The Parish
Dear Members of SS. Peter and Paul Parish,
I am writing to provide an update on the proposal for the
renovation of our parochial School and the addition of a
multi-purpose building to the School complex.
In February, 2006, I approved the formation of a Steering
Committee to make a final recommendation to the Parish Council
on how to proceed regarding proposed plans to build a
multi-purpose building. The Steering Committee has been
diligently at work for the last sixteen months. They have
accomplished a great deal of work and I want to bring you
up-to-date on their progress. A time-line of their work follows:
February, 2006 - Sister Ethel Marie Biri, Diocesan Chancellor,
conducts "Reaching Consensus" workshop for Steering Committee
members.
March, 2006 - Steering Committee meets with the Project Hope
Committee, the Cosgriff Company, and takes tour of school and
old convent.
May, 2006 - Steering Committee meets with project architect and
Barry Vollmer, Diocesan Building Coordinator.
June, 2006 - Steering Committee meets to discuss sub-committee's
"Suggestions, Findings and Rationale" report.
July, 2006 - Steering Committee authorizes production of concept
drawings. Site, building, and floor plan studies are received
from the project architect exploring the possibility of building
on the north side of the 1920's school building. Changes and
revisions are suggested. Revised floor plans are received and
presented to the Steering Committee.
August, 2006 - In a letter to the Parish Council, the Steering
Committee recommends:
(1) demolition of the old convent building and construction of a
multi-purpose building approx. 10,000 sq. feet on this lot and
the adjacent duplex lot to the north (provided it can be
purchased at a reasonable price). Estimated cost - $1 - $1.2
million;
(2) renovate the 1920's school building (in stages, if
necessary). Est. cost--$1.2 million;
(3) the Diocesan Fund Raising Campaign precede our local
building fund raising campaign. Provided approval is received
from the Bishop's Office, implement recommendations # 1 and # 2
above;
(4) available money on hand be spent to acquire duplex property,
demolish old convent, and commence site preparations. Parish
fund raising campaign under direction of the Cosgriff Company to
commence after Diocesan Campaign is completed and all building
plans, including the 1920's school building renovation plans,
have been prepared by the parish architect and approved by
Bishop's Office. The Committee included the following statement:
"We believe this to be a critical time in the history of our
parish. The Church is engaged in a battle of epic proportions
with the popular culture for the hearts and minds of our young
Catholics. We believe the time is right - if not critical - to
stem the tide of decline, to build a facility to appeal to our
children's hearts, so that we might positively influence their
minds. We also believe and hope that this facility will
stimulate pride and participation in our parish life and
contribute to bringing our multiple generations of believers to
the same altar. With the ongoing battle for our children's
hearts and minds and the vitality of our parish life at stake,
we humbly submit the recommendations contained herein.”
-2-
• August, 2006 continued… The Parish Council unanimously accepts
the Steering Committee's recommendations and voted to seek the
Bishop's permission to pursue the recommendations of the
Steering Committee, beginning with the acquisition of the duplex
property. The Pastor accepts the Steering Committee’s
recommendations and the Parish Council’s approval of the
Recommendations. Revised plans are received and presented to the
Steering Committee.
• September, 2006 - Bishop Gaydos approves the acquisition of
the duplex property and the removal of the old convent.
On-going, informal discussions continue with the City of
Boonville regarding future plans.
• October, 2006 - Asbestos survey of the old convent begins.
Initial offer for the duplex property is submitted to owner and
promptly rejected by the owner.
• November, 2006 - Asbestos Removal Services, Inc. from
Jefferson City is hired to take asbestos samples from the old
convent for laboratory analysis.
• December, 2006 - Negotiations for the duplex property are
re-started.
• January, 2007 - The Parish Council and Pastor, in conjunction
with the Diocese, enters into a purchase contract with the
duplex owner. The Parish Council approves this action with a
unanimous vote. A land survey of the duplex property, adjacent
alleys and the 8th Street Right-of-Way Extension begins.
• February, 2007 - Purchase of the duplex property is completed.
Project architect begins design changes to the 1920's school
building after fact gathering visit. Sample of area gymnasiums
visited.
• March, 2007 - Formal meeting held with the City of Boonville
regarding set-back requirements, alley improvements and future
development plans and requirements. An asbestos survey of the
duplex property begins.
• April, 2007 - Additional meeting held with the City of
Boonville. Sub-committee studying floor plan changes and
additions to the existing school and proposed multi-purpose
building completes its recommendations. Old convent and frame
building approved for demolition. Meeting with teachers held.
• May, 2007 - Floor plan changes and recommendations accepted by
the Steering Committee. Plans in progress for working meeting
with project architect.
While it is impossible to list all the activities taking place
regarding this project, the Steering Committee is working very
hard to build on the foundation laid by the Project Hope
Committee to present a viable plan to the Parish for the
construction of a new multi-purpose building and renovation of
the 1920's school building. We are now at the point to be able
to provide regular progress reports to you, the members of our
Parish and we will do so.
I also invite you to visit the School's web site at
www.mo-river.net/education (and click on SS Peter & Paul). In
the near future, this site will feature proposed building plans,
committee members and an e-mail link for your comments. We have
not yet finalized a timeline for fund raising and anticipated
construction, but I'll report this to you when the Parish
Council completes the details and the plan is approved by the
Diocese. Please keep the Steering Committee in your prayer
intentions.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Robert W. Duesdieker, Pastor |
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