Pullen Building Expansion

September brings the completion of chapel framing, running of conduit for electrical wiring, and enclosure of the space with sheathing and brick.

In August, rooms take shape in the ground floor of the expansion with the metal wall studs, while the outer walls of the chapel are formed with structural steel. The baptismal pool, which will be in the floor of the fellowship hall's stage, is formed and poured; and the final section of the ground floor slab is prepped and poured.

Mid-July brings the first glimpse of the shape of the chapel, with installation of the wood laminate beams and pine ceiling. On the ground floor, slab pouring continues with the classrooms, foyer, and ramp - and the steel beams are sprayed with fire-retardant. Meanwhile, excavation for the elevator wraps up with pouring of the floor and walls of the deeper pit. (Album includes video)

In early July, the Cox Avenue entrance is closed - and the existing stairs, sidewalks, and planters are demolished to make way for the new entry courtyard. Pouring of ground floor's concrete slab starts with the Missions and Kitchen areas and the entire upper slab is poured in one day. Elevator demolition and excavation continues with removal of walls and sections of floor to expand the shaft 's width, and hand-excavation around the old piston for increased depth to serve the cellar. (Album includes video)

June brings hot weather, continued steel trim work, completion of utility rough-in, and installation of the 3000-gallon cistern. Its spot prepared with compressed backfill, the cistern is constructed of snap-together milk crate like panels, forming a sturdy rectangular skeleton that will hold shape and protect the inner vinyl bladder after the cistern is covered with earth. The form is wrapped in a protective outer fabric and left-over panels are "scavenged" for creative use as shelving and storage bins. The entire assembly is buried under what will become the new front courtyard. In the rear of the property, the 20 geothermal wells are connected by a manifold piping system and buried, while inside, the old elevator is removed and demolition begins for a shaft to support a new, larger ADA-compliant one.

In two dramatic days, the addition comes "out of the ground". On May 12, steel beams are delivered and stacked on-site and all vertical columns are erected. Then on May 13, all but a few of the horizontal beams are placed. In the days that follow, the steel work wraps up with the remaining beams and miscellaneous steel components, including metal decking across the beams on which will be poured a concrete upper slab to support the chapel and the roof garden. (Album includes video)

In May, the forms are removed from the concrete walls, final footings are poured, and rough-in is completed for the utilities that will be under the slab. All is in place for the dramatic steel work that comes next...

In early April - despite much-needed rain - the outline of the addition takes shape with the placement of concrete and rebar for the foundation footings. Wall forms are erected and filled with concrete to create the walls of the addition's mission space and the brick veneer and windows of the existing building are removed where the old and new will meet.

In March, underground utility work begins with relocation of the Public Service gas line. Twenty 350-feet deep wells are dug for the geothermal (ground-coupled heat pump) system that will heat and cool the addition. The rear of the existing building is selectively demolished where the new construction will connect. By month-end, excavation, grading, and soil compaction have prepared the building footprint.

Starting January 30, general contractor Clancy & Theys Construction Company has workers on-site. A wooden ramp is built at the west entrance (the only door not impacted by the addition) to provide handicap-accessible building entry for the expected year of construction. Tree protection, silt fencing, and safety fencing are put in place to designate the construction area and protect the surroundings. Tree roots and the parking lot asphalt are removed.