December 14, 2023

HY Architects continue to refine the design and development for placement of the elevator in the foyer/lift location. Responding to concerns about traffic flow and aesthetics in the Nave, they are currently evaluating an option that would not build a vestibule inside the nave.  The elevator would open directly into the nave, roughly where the current lift and stairs are, and a new set of stairs would start at the current door and run west, toward Jordan Court through the current janitor’s closet, down to the foyer level.  

This version of the foyer/lift implementation requires a self-closing smoke curtain to be installed above the elevator door to close off the elevator shaft in a fire and requires an upturned structural beam, located at the top of the new staircase, to be lowered so that it is flush with the floor.  These modifications are estimated to cost between $70,000 and $80,000, but this option is still roughly $129,000 less expensive than the courtyard location and is within the overall budget. 

In the coming weeks, the Property Committee and Vestry will be reviewing updated cost estimates for a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) budget and a finalized set of Design and Development drawings.  The floor plans for each of the church levels will be posted here once they are available. 

As of now, the Vestry has approved the foyer/lit location with an elevator vestibule built in the Nave. Adoption of the foyer/lift location without the nave vestibule will be considered in an upcoming meeting on December 17th.

This week the Property Committee is submitting plans to PGE as part of our application to upgrade the electrical service.  This is the first step on our path to carbon neutrality. 

In January, the Vestry expects to receive finalized construction drawings from the architect and to submit them to the City of Berkeley as a part of a permit application.  

–Richard Lynch, Co-Chair of Living Waters Campaign