If you are following me on Twitter or Facebook you already know this (hint: you should be following), but last week I met with the GREAT architects at BCRA to see how things were progressing on the Adams Sq. Family Center. On behalf of inquiring minds, let me give you the straight rundown on how this works. TRM: Bob Killmer is our point man on dealing with BCRA and has been working on getting all the details, right down to lighting fixtures and outlets, onto blueprints. Even though we have had official blueprints for sometime, Bob keeps working it and working it until it is just right. I must say, this is where Bob really shines. You’d be proud of how hard he works to get the Mission staff just what it needs. I’m so glad he’s on our team. Then Bob meets with the contractors to make sure they are willing and able to build according to our specifics. CE and C are the contractors who are working with us and they are great people. They helped us do Tyler Sq. phase 2. BCRA: Kent McLaren is the lead architect on the project and is the key part of making the building becoming a reality. We’ve met over and over to talk about what we would need, but Kent is the one who puts it all together. Current Status: We will have final permits any day now and are technically ready to build. The final hitch, as is always the case, is nailing down the last chunk of money needed to complete the building. When we begin the construction the building will be 100% paid for. We have grant requests into the State Housing Trust Fund, the Murdoch Trust and others that will take us to our total if they are accepted, which we are believing in faith will happen. The Mission will continue to raise funds for the furniture and operating expenses, but construction will begin as soon as we receive positive final confirmation on those outstanding requests. You can see a video of the layout of the building here to refresh your memory. We’ll have a groundbreaking ceremony on April 14. More about that later. DC
Ohhhh, I’m so excited! It will be wonderful to have the ability to help more families! I can’t imagine what it feels like to seek shelter and find none. Unfortunately Tacoma really lacks in family emergency shelter – but we’re gonna make a dent with this new facility!
The impact we will make at Adams Square will far surpass our current situation by leaps and bounds!!! This is wonderful to be on track and moving forward. Thanks to everyone who is working so hard on this project!
Every time I speak to a group I talk about the children. There are so many that need that secure place to be. We will have that for them and so much more. It is so exciting to see we are “almost there”.