Frequently Asked Questions
This list includes frequently asked questions about the building renovation project. We'll update these questions and the answers as information changes.
Click on a question to see the answer.
Click on a question to see the answer.
When will construction begin?
That is the $64,000 question! At this point, we think construction will start in October or November 2017. We don’t have a firm start date yet because construction is contingent on getting permits from the City of Denver, and the City permitting process is taking longer than usual with Denver's construction boom. Our plans have been submitted to the City, have passed through the Landmark Commission and Zoning Department. Our own pre-construction preparations have already started (see the Preparations page for details)!
Where will services be held during construction?
During the renovation of the sanctuary and basement classrooms, we will hold services at Manual High School. We anticipate this part of the construction to take approximately 6 to 8 weeks. We will announce the service location each week on this website and the FUSD website. We are hoping to hold services in one alternate location for most of this time, but we're still nailing down details. At this time (September), we are still holding services at First Unitarian.
First Unitarian staff will continue to use the building during most of construction. All other church activities will be held off-site. Most congregational and rental activities have already found alternate spaces. Once the sanctuary is finished, we anticipate returning to the church for services, even though the rest of the renovation won't be finished.
First Unitarian staff will continue to use the building during most of construction. All other church activities will be held off-site. Most congregational and rental activities have already found alternate spaces. Once the sanctuary is finished, we anticipate returning to the church for services, even though the rest of the renovation won't be finished.
What about Family Promise and the Women's Homelessness Initiative?
Coordinators for these programs have found alternate locations we can use for the duration of construction. We will continue to be heavily involved in volunteering with these programs during our rotations.
How long will the renovation take?
Another good, and difficult to answer, question! At this point, our construction contractor, JHL, is anticipating approximately four months of construction time. However, with an old building like ours, there are always things that come up that could extend the time. We will have a much better sense of how long the renovation will take once we're able to start.
The renovation of the sanctuary will probably take about 8 weeks, and we plan to come back to First Unitarian for services once the sanctuary is complete, even though the kitchen and community room will still be under construction.
The renovation of the sanctuary will probably take about 8 weeks, and we plan to come back to First Unitarian for services once the sanctuary is complete, even though the kitchen and community room will still be under construction.
Questions about project from last spring (May 17, 2016):
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This page last updated 8/20/2017