This has been a busy summer for the board. We have been working on getting better structure for temple finances, particularly in long-range planning, developing ways to strengthen our sense of community and working closely with the architects for the expansion of our home. During our July retreat, we focused almost exclusively on concrete ways to strengthen and enrich our communal life. Our October meeting will return to this theme. We hope to move from vision to reality, and implementing new ways to ensure that Temple Micah remains a place where people feel grounded and connected.

The building project continues to draw much of our attention. Architrave, our architectural firm, revised the expansion plan to conform to certain code requirements. The building committee approved the changes and indeed found that the new design provides a superior outcome. (The committee is chaired by Harry S. and also includes Sheri Z-B, Bill N., Ann S., architect Robert Weinstein and myself.) The basics remain the same, but they have reoriented some of the work on the classrooms and eliminated the skylight ceiling, which would have been a real energy drain. The revised plans also incorporate a sprinkler system, which is mandated by District code for a project of this nature. The updated plans are posted on the Building Connections page of the Temple Micah Web site.

First the good news: some of these changes result in cost savings on specific elements of the project. And we will have more additional square footage with the revised plan. Now the not so good news: it shouldn't surprise anyone to learn that between 2003--when we had the first plan for the expansion and received a very preliminary quote for the project--and now there has been a dramatic cost increase in practically every building material, from copper wire to concrete. Increased energy costs have also added substantially to overall costs. We received updated cost estimates from our original contractors, and while they are still rough, they are substantially higher than anyone anticipated.

While we consider everything in the plan essential--more classrooms, offices for each of our professional staff members, an expanded social hall--we also are aware that we need to identify ways to build within our means. The building committee has therefore asked the architects to move forward with the design phase, but to explore every way possible to cut costs. We do not want to skimp on our home, but there may be lower cost options that provide the quality expansion we are seeking. It is also almost certain that we will have to raise additional funds to bridge the gap between our current funds for this project--$2 million--and the proposed costs, which now are projected in excess of $3 million. The board decided from the outset to finance this project through fund-raising, rather than long-term financing, and that remains our goal.

The plan remains to begin construction in the spring of 2007, but as you can see, certain items remain in flux. I will keep you apprised as we explore creative options for our plans and nail down our options.