EAST END
EAST END REBUILDING
WHAT HAPPENED
East End UMC's historic church building was hit by a tornado that ripped through East Nashville on March 3, 2020. The building was heavily damaged and rendered structurally unsound.
A short time after the tornado, with heavy yet hopeful hearts, the people of East End United Methodist Church began working on making plans to rebuild.
A group of East End UMC members has been meeting with architects, project managers, contractors, and denominational representatives for over a year working toward returning our congregation to its home.
MOST RECENT DESIGN
RESOURCES AND UPDATES
- *NEW* January 2023 Building Update
- Charge Conference Agenda (1.22.2023)
- Charge Conference Boards (1.22.2023)
- Building Financing Summary
- How We Got Here - Timeline
- Special Called Charge Conference (1.22.2023)
- December 2022 Building Update
- Demolition Project Video Updates
- Week 2 Salvage Project Update
- Week 1 Salvage Project Update
- January 13th Building Project Update
- Demolition Project Bid Award Description
- List/Photos of Items Being Salvaged for Re-Use In Our New Building
EAST END UMC BUILDING COMMITTEE
What is a Building Committee?
In the UMC, a building committee is elected by a local church's Administrative Council to make plans and recommendations for the church to consider when the church is undertaking a large capital project.
East End's Administrative Council elected the building committee as a Charge Conference in August of 2020.
Building Committee Members
David Bone
Jessica Dragonetti
Daniel Foster
Gil Gilliland
Howard Hale
Craig Kennedy
Cori Morris
Mark Sanders
Kim Harvey (At-Large)
Tom Scott (2023 Finance Chair/FEMA Liaison)
Brandon Baxter (Staff Liaison)
Working With The Building Committee
EOA Architects - Tracey Ford
Owner's Representative - Steve Rutland
American Constructors - John Madole
FEMA Consultant - DCMC Partners
TWKUMC Reps - John Pearce, Bishop Bill McAlilly, Rev. Jerry Wallace
APPROVAL PROCESS
Building Committees do not have the power to make decisions on behalf of the church, but are tasked with submitting recommendations for approval of both the local church and the local church's District Committee on Location and Building.
East End UMC's Building Committee is currently close initiating steps 4 and 5 of the multi-layered approval project and should have a date for the church conference on approval of preliminary designs and financial plans for the project soon.
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about the building project you can reach out to EEUMC's Building Committee directly by emailing eastendrebuilding@gmail.com.
FUNDING THE PROJECT
East End UMC will be able to fully fund our building project using three funding sources
INSURANCE
East End UMC received approximately $5 Million dollars in insurance proceeds after the building was ruled to be a "Total Loss." These funds make up almost half of the amount of money needed rebuild the church in a similar footprint as the current building while making required code and safety upgrades.
FEMA
In 2018, churches became eligible for assistance from FEMA's Private Non-Profit assistance program. In cases of Federally Declared Disasters FEMA pays eligible Non-Profits 75% of the gap between the insurance funds the Non-Profit receives and the total cost of the Non-Profit's repair or replacement project.
In March of 2022, the Federal government changed the government cost share for project like East End's from 75%-90%.
East End UMC has been working with FEMA and will likely be receiving a federal assistance grant of approximately over $7 Million.
HHOPE ON HOLLY
Hope On Holly is the campaign to rebuild our church on the corner of Holly St and 13th Street after the tornado of March 3, 2020.
The goal of the Hope On Holly campaign was to raise a minimum of $1,000,000.00 to go toward the funding of our building project.
On October 31st our Hope On Holly Campaign chairs announced total pledges of $1,076,207.51!
Additionally, Bishop Bill McAlilly of the Tennessee Annual Conference announced that the conference closed church fund would be issuing a record grant of $1,000,000 to support East End's rebuilding and operational needs.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
East End has submitted our final bid to FEMA for congressional approval.
Construction will begin in April 2023.
QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS, THOUGHTS, AND ANSWERS
INTERIOR
What is the seating capacity in the sanctuary?
It is the same seating capacity as the previous sactuary - 299 seating capacity with 6 wheelchair spaces.
Old pews, refinishing to go into new sactuary?
Yes. Will repair, refinish and reuses per original members wishes.
Pews prints show 45 pews with seating count of 290 plus 6 accessible. Note has seating at 299 plus stage 65. Choir seating per web site three rows 9 + 7 + 7 = 23 total. Is this correct?
Sanctuary to have the same or more pew seating capacity as before.
Maybe we should re-evaluate placing pews in the sanctuary; the group felt that pews greatly limit the use of sanctuary and that using chairs could make more flexible use of the space, a trend that we are seeing in many churches. Some of the salvaged pews could be used as seating in lobby areas. This is a $76,300 plus expense that can buy nice stack chairs and  tables.
At start of the rebuild planning (more than 80 members participated in a goals and objectives process) most people wanted the sanctuary to look and feel old and historic with a sloped floor. All planning and design work has been done with original wishes in mind with improvements HVAC, sound, lighting, accessibility and enlarging sanctuary space to meet current codes. To make this major change now would be a significant change to the project creating essentially a redesign of the spaces below the sanctuary and the structural, mechanical, and plumbing systems of that part of the building.
What is the seating capacity of the choir loft?
There will be 23 chairs and 65 chairs total on chancel stage.
Can position of the choir loft ramp be reconsidered?
The building committee and chancel committee are happy to talk directly with Debbie and Jim who have expressed concern about the ramp location. Extensive study of this feature was conducted during design. Several locations for the ramp were studied - both interior and exterior of sanctuary. Several methods of movement were studied - ramp vs lift. Folks in wheelchairs and walkers were considered. We gathered varying perspectives to arrive at the ramp in the sanctuary to allow the congregation access directly from inside the sanctuary. We did look at a ramp in the lobby and felt like it took up too much space in relationship to the size of the lobby.
The Nursery and Children's area layout should be reviewed by the Children's Committee, including people with child care experience.
The Nursery and Children's area has been reviewed by the Children's Committee.
Could the doors to the entrances of the toddler commode area be eliminated to ensure visible sight lines?
The toddler door has been eliminated in final CD's. Change door 113B to dutch door.
It was noted that the sink requested for the restroom located in the toddler room is not shown on the prints. This is an important item; can this be added?
The sink is shown on the addendum.
Where are water fountains located?
The water fountains are located next to the mechanical room (101B), on the main level (TBD), on the 3rd floor (TBD), and in the kids area (TBD)
What are the 3 black lines across the hallway to check in?
Those are old lines, and are no longer on the plans.
Room 106 - Kitchen may only need one pantry room?
Room 106D is space for a future walk in freezer. There will be one pantry for outside groups and one for inside church groups.
What is room 110 and is it required?
Yes, this is the fire safety room.
Is room 205 TLT for men and women?
Room 205 is a gender neutral bathroom.
Could the area under the north front porch be used as more interior space?
No. This space is backfilled with gravel, which it is not good to have living space under a porch due to expenses to eliminate potential water problems.
Where is Scout storage area?
There is storage space on the 3rd floor - meeting their needs as best as we can, but they asked for much more space.
Will the building be designed with smart controls for door locks, lighting, HVAC, security and sound systems?
Yes, but functionality that is more than code may need to be funded 100% by East End.
Check with office staff regarding the best way to arrange offices.
Office staff to meet with Cori and EOA to determine office layouts and furnishings
Check with EOA to be sure plumbing floor drains have slopes specified.
Will check with EOA to see if possible.
Fellowship Hall Dining Final plans kitchen detail show picture of 24 tables with 6 chairs each equals 72 dining places, plans on the web site show 150 dining seats with picture of 24 tables with 6 chairs each equals 144 dining seats. Which is correct?
Correct count is 24 tables with 6 chairs each equals 144 dining seats
EXTERIOR
Should the transformer be next to the building at the southwest corner to make room for more parking spaces?
The water fountains are located next to the mechanical room (101B), on the main level (TBD), on the 3rd floor (TBD), and in the kids area (TBD)
Will there be 29 parking spaces and 2 accessible parking spaces in the parking lot plus street parking, 7 spaces on Russell, 15 spaces on 13th St., and 16 spaces on Holly St. between 12th and 13th?
Yes, the onsite parking is correct. There is no change for street parking.
The parsonage garage needs to be next to the parsonage or attached.
The garage was detached prior to the tornado. The historic guidelines do allow attached garages with certain conditions, however, the parsonage does not meet the exceptions allowing for attachment. The garage located attached to the church was desirable during the master planning phase to keep an open green space between the church and parsonage.
Instead of locating the garage next to the church, away from the parsonage, would it be possible to put in a large carport behind the parsonage that can be for car parking and/or outdoor event space? Making this change would give us more accessible parking spaces. It was also suggested to put in a flip sign to make more accessible parking for larger events but change to regular parking on lesser used days. Note may change storm water requirements.
The garage was detached prior to the tornado. The historic guidelines do allow attached garages, however, the parsonage does not meet the exceptions allowing for attachment. The garage located attached to the chruch was desirable during master planning phase to keep an open space between chruch and parsonage.
Could we request making the alley one way going from Holly to Russel?
The ally is city property and direction of traffic is not stipulated. Agreed not worth doing as it is hard to sell to city and neighbors.
Trash and recycle area: Can this area have gates so it's not seen?
The area is tucked away and well lit, but will also have bushes to act as screening.
There needs to be an exterior hose bib in trash and recycle area.
Done.
Great Hall Russell Street exterior door: Why is it recessed into the room? Is it better to not have a recessed for trash to accumulate in the recessed opening? Better to have a covered porch and/or sidewalk like the 13th street?
The plans have changed for it to not be recessed.
Can the flat roof over the kitchen and Great Hall be sloped style roofs?
No. The roof is utilized for equipment.
Can we make the center flat roof a sloped shingle roof and to make more interior space at a very low cost. If height is a problem then this might be a good attic storage space.
No, due to equipment and setback from edge to meet code.
Can the front porch cover be enlarged so all of the porch is covered so no post are on the porch and to keep rain water and snow/ice off the porch? The front porch steps need hand railing on both sides of the steps.
The project has been approved by historic. Significant design changes would incur additional design fees. Drainage runs internally through posts into a network underground piping.
Can the park be included in the new rebuild plans to have a covered Pavilion space with a gas fireplace, electric plugs, lights, ceiling fans, and water?
Park improvements will lie outside the rebuilding committee review. East End would pay for 100% of the cost. The rebuilding committee would defer this study to the Trustees or Park Committee.
Remove Stucco notes from the plan as all exterior is to be brick and stone.
This note will be sent to EOA to purge drawings of extraneous notes.
Can we get plans for the landscaping and parking?
They are included in the current drawings.
Can we make all electrical underground to eliminate alley and park wooden poles?
This is a great idea but overhead to site (neighborhood) - underground to building.
Does the lighting plan show adequate parking lot lighting?
There are NES lights on poles (3) and lights on building, which we believe to be adequate.
Do all gutters empty into city storm drains?
The downspouts are hard piped into city storm sewer. Some surface areas do sheet flow into city sewer.
Can we construct exterior signage frame using matching church brick and metal with an electronic screen that can be remotely programmed? It would be good to have corner sins at 12th & Holly and 13th & Holly. Also would be good to have sign at the parking lot entry to the building. Current plans show wooden post and plywood sign.
The sign will be analog not digital - neighbood, historic, and signage code factor into this decision. Building committee approved going with a brick and Aluminimum sign to match church brick. We have landscaping lighting at 13th and Holly. We do not ahve lighting at 12th and Holly, if a sign is added to that location. When sign discussion begins, discuss with McCoy about signage entering the parking lot side of the building.
Will sprinklers be installed for landscaping?
Yes.
Make 13th Street wider with angle parking from Holly to Russell Street. May need to move building back and/or acquire variance on set back rules.
Angled parking won't meet public works standard - they're getting rid of conditions that exist and aren't grandfathered.
Look into solar energy.
This is not economical to do at this time.
Are there any plans for Stained glass window lights?
The Good Shepherd window is backlit. The tower space is internally lit.
Can the tower be used as a community resource and income for cameras, weather station for TV stations, police, weather?
This is a Trustees issue to pursue.
Can we have lights on the exterior of the Tower/Steeple?
Plans show Historic lamp poles and globe light fixtures at steps and uplighting of the tower. Consideration has been given to providing adequate path of travel lighting, as well as architectural building light but also being a good stewart to neighbors by not over-lighting the building at night.
EV Charger?
EV car chargers on the site was discussed but opted against due to use monitoring during the week. Also, most users of the facility are short duration users (other than staff). EOA is adding a conduit for a future charger to the parsonage garage.
Should removal of concrete slabs at the community wing and parsonage garage and parking be part of the fixed cost demo quote? As of 8/6/2022 it had not been done.
This scope of work was shifted to coincide with the building construction to allow for an expedited demolition permit and to prevent FEMA's requirement for an Archelogical monitor during demolition.
A3.02 Exterior Elevations view 4 "Brick pattern". Need to see bigger picture and be sure this is acceptable brick color and pattern. Please provide more information regarding the brick selection and laying pattern. Print shows white bricks with random laying patterns in some sections. Some considered as not pleasing or appropriate for our EEUMC.
Mockups will be provided by EOA/AC!
Leave the wood ceiling as specified for the great hall for FEMA funding to replicate what we had; however if funds are running low would it be possible to use this money better for other areas of need? This is a $96,700 extra cost for wood.
FEMA reimburses on a "like for like" basis. We had a wood ceiling prior. If the wood celing is obligated for specific items and if we don't include those items, they could recind that funding.
Do we want all new sidewalks so everything looks the same?
Yes in plans for all new sidewalks on Holly Street and 13th Street, Russell Street will remain as a brick sidewalk.
A3.04 Building section 2 on lower left view I think should be labeled Looking North.
Will review with EOA.
Add exterior electrical plugs at each HVAC for service.
Plans have needed HVAC electrical plugs
HVAC - Check to be sure it is low noise system and setup to use MERV 13 filter to keep germs filtered out.
Will review with EOA and add as needed.
How to make exterior design of window sills and roof flat edges unfriendly to birds?
Not a current problem as birds have left the area, will address later as needed.
Can we review church north elevations between parsonage/office and education wing to improve drainage. Note elevation 510' at entry door and behind parsonage/office elevation is 512' and alley is 511'.
The building FFE is 510' and two inlets in that area are at 509' (1' below). We do acknowledge that area drains may require maintnence to keep line clear. This area does have a failsafe that the ramp to Holly Street is going downhill from 510' to Holly Street at an elevation of 504', this ramp would let water out of the area.
HOW TO SUPPORT
At East End UMC we believe in joyful giving that stems from gratitude for all that God has given to us.
If you are interested in giving to our Hope On Holly Campaign, you can using the online giving form on this page or click HERE to go to our Giving page.
Please note if donations are for the General Operating budget or the Hope on Holly Campaign using the dropdown button.