FORWARD

We are blessed with a wonderful building and campus. It is a space located in downtown Plymouth (covering a little more than an entire city block) where we gather for worship, teach students, and equip Christian leaders to serve. We seek to be the good news of Jesus in every place.

Over the last few years, we have identified a few concerns with our building. A few of those concerns have grown; in particular – leaky windows and masonry work in the main school building (built in 1954).

The time for little fixes and patches has come to an end. We will need the assistance of professionals to guide our decisions, identify what’s going on with our building, and provide steps for improvement.

-The Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees heard concerns about leaky school windows when the rain fell at certain times.

-Initially, the leaky school windows were limited to a few classrooms. Now, most of the school classrooms have some water entering into the room when it rains.

-Masonry work and tuckpointing (around the school windows) shows age and weathering. An attempt to seal the cracks was made. Yet, the leaky windows continue.

-Representatives from Jos. Schmitt Construction met with SJL leadership to discuss the company’s culture, notable project history, and their approach to the design-build process. Jos. Schmitt Construction shared that their work is guided by a God-centered approach, seeking to serve clients and communities with integrity, respect, and excellence. They value building strong relationships and believe every project is an opportunity to honor God through quality work and service.

-Jos. Schmitt Construction emphasized their collaborative process, which unites the Owner, Contractor, Architect, Subcontractors, and the broader community as an integrated team from concept to completion. Their design-build approach combines design, budgeting, and construction under a single contract to streamline communication, improve efficiency, and maintain alignment with the project’s mission and goals.

-They highlighted recent projects, including:
-Sheboygan Christian School – Addition and remodel
-Oostburg Christian School – Addition and remodel
-St. John’s West Bend Lutheran Church and School – Addition, remodel, and master planning for a future expansion

-Their strengths include quality craftsmanship, budget stewardship, and schedule management. Their process emphasizes early stakeholder involvement, detailed preconstruction planning, and regular progress reviews to ensure alignment with the client’s vision.

-Identified Building Concerns and Ministry Needs:
-Window Leaks on East Elevation – Explore to identify source of leaks.
-Add AC to Existing Classrooms – Currently heated by a boiler system.
-Asbestos Removal in Floors and Ceilings – Owner-direct project, with Jos. Schmitt Construction coordination assistance.
-Renovations to Bathrooms – Scope and quantity to be confirmed.
-Main Entrance and Front Office Renovations.
-New Playground and Surfacing.
-Repair/Replace South Retaining Wall of the West Parking Lot.

-In the August Meeting, the Board of Directors approved a Design-Build Pre-Construction Services Proposal with Jos. Schmitt Construction. This would include the preliminary analysis, conceptual design and conceptual budgeting for the projects that were identified as building concerns and ministry needs. The cost ($30,250) for the Design-Build Pre-Construction Services was approved to come from Church Undesignated Memorial Funds.

-Follow up meeting with Jos. Schmitt Construction discussing the building concerns and ministry needs. Jos. Schmitt Construction has reviewed SJL Blue Prints and begun investigation into our facility needs. In early October, they will be onsite for exploratory fieldwork.