Building Project 

There are several major issues that this site plan must address. One of these issues is the location (s) of underground utility conduits on Church property. So-Deep, INC, the Manassas-based subcontractor who has already performed what is termed a Level A (horizontal) search a few months earlier, now must return to accomplish a more exact Level B (vertical) location. There is a chance that at least one of the utilities will have to be moved or better protected before the earth can be effectively disturbed in its vicinity.

Another major component of this site plan study is Storm Water Management (SWM). Due to the limited size of our property, a rather creative solution has been devised to satisfy the requirements imposed by the county. A fairly new technology called rain tanks will be used to collect and control the water on our property. Several rows of these tanks will be implanted below the surface of the soil in strategic locations, and the water gathered by these will be directed to a reservoir located some distance from the Church grounds. There will be a layer of sand situated over these tanks to serve as a filter and thereby improve the quality of the water collected. In addition, a portion of the outermost part of our parking lot will be formed from grass pavers. These pavers will provide us a sturdy surface of self-replenishing grass on which cars may safely park. And the inclusion of these pavers, by decreasing the amount of impervious surface, will increase the overall permeability rating of the property’s soil. 

Since the characteristics of the soil play a large part in the SWM planning, it was necessary for the Church to hire a geotechnical engineering firm to analyze the soil in very specialized ways. Based on requirements formulated by Dewberry, each of four reputable geotechnical companies in the Fredericksburg area submitted a detailed proposal to Mount Zion. After careful study of these proposals, the Planning Committee selected Froehling and Robertson, INC, to perform the geotechnical studies that our project requires. F & R has visited our property several times, boring several feet into the earth at selected locations, and then transmitting soil samples back to their laboratories for meticulous analysis. 

Froehling and Robertson will continue to work closely with Dewberry on several issues to be included in the site plan. In addition to determining the soil’s capability for water infiltration, a major consideration for Storm Water Management, the geotechnical firm must also determine the capacity of the soil to be compacted in the areas where the new buildings will stand. This study will ascertain to what degree, if any, strengthening materials will need to be added to the soil in order to support the structures to be built. F & R will also have considerable input to the studies concerning soil erosion and silt management. 

Mr. Janusey, our excellent Architect, will also submit information to the County on our behalf to be included in the final site plan.

On other fronts, there are several more tasks currently being addressed by the members of the Planning Committee. A subcommittee has been formed to research the options available to the Church in terms of financing. A new pledge drive has been instituted to kick off Mount Zion’s Capital Campaign, and alternative methods of fund raising are being explored. Also, the committee has instituted a search to hire a Project Manager to oversee all facets of the construction. And these are but a few of the subprojects being worked now. 

To quote our esteemed Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Brother Allen Haymon, this project that we have undertaken cannot be considered a sprint, but rather must be viewed as a marathon. The Soldiers of the Vision, who are many throughout our Church Family, will continue to stay the course provided and illuminated for us by our Father in Heaven. God has given us the Vision, and He never fails to provide us with the energy, leadership, commitment, and other resources needed to keep this project moving steadily forward. He never fails to bless us abundantly, and our gratitude and praise for Him will soon echo off the inside walls of a beautiful new Sanctuary. Article contributed by Brother Mike Gray

Ground-Breaking Ceremony on July 28, 2006

Planning committee meeting to discuss site plans.

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