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The Project

 

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

PHASE I – June 1-September 21, 2006 (Closed to Events) 

bulletComplete re-design and all new equipment in our up-to-date and code compliant Kitchen with all new fire equipment.  This includes all refrigeration, all cooking equipment, a new food stores area, new fire hood and ductwork and new ceilings.
bulletBegin conversion from diesel/propane to natural gas
bulletAsbestos removal throughout the facilities – floors, ceilings and duct mastic.
bulletNew smoke detectors in all sleeping quarters.
bulletNew “hook-latch” thresholds and waterproofing at all bedroom doors to help prevent water intrusion during tropical storms.
bulletTrench work for new HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) around building
bulletRe-asphalt parking lot and south and main driveways and build nine stabilized parking spots in the old “grass parking lot” and add Handicap spaces (required by code)

PHASE II – September 22, 2006-June 10, 2007 (Open to Events)

We can’t possibly do all the following work while being open to events without potentially having a little bit of distraction in and around Our Lady of Florida.  We pray for your patience and understanding during this period.  We know that when you arrive in October 2007 and beyond Our Lady of Florida will not only still be the best spiritual center in Florida but the most up-to-date in those areas that are important for your safety and comfort and our service to you for generations to come. 

bulletDemolition of invasive species trees and shrubs in preparation for new landscaping and irrigation.  This is normally followed by killing all the current grass (weeds).
bulletFinish demolition of rooms “F” and “G” (two double rooms sharing one bath) and the storerooms to the south.
bulletNew landscaping design is installed with complete new irrigation system utilizing our existing wells (no city water).  Old signage is removed and new signage is installed.
bulletConvert rooms F and G and the storerooms to seven one bedroom-one bathroom suites with one suite exceeding code for physically challenged persons.  This work is making seven private sleeping quarters with private baths where there once was only two bedrooms sharing a bath and maintenance storage.
bulletComplete changeover from diesel/propane to natural gas.
bulletInstall new HVAC tower (third tower next to existing two) and build new machine enclosure room (utilizing the old tower enclosure) west of the towers.
bulletBuild new room on the concrete deck behind the north main chapel wall to hold new HVAC equipment and extend north concrete deck south to door area.
bulletBegin demolition and removal of old boilers, heaters, chillers, etc.
bulletReplace Main Chapel doors.
bulletInstall new natural gas fed emergency generator and transfer switch to keep us running in blackouts.  It will give us power for kitchen refrigeration, sanitary pumps, emergency lighting, telephones, computer networks, elevator and some HVAC.

PHASE III – June 11, 2007 to Completion (Closed to events from June 11 through September 20th)

bulletDemolition of all dropped ceilings and building new soffits in all rooms and offices to accommodate new HVAC ductwork.
bulletAll new electrical work to accommodate our new systems.  This includes all new telecommunications lines and phone equipment.
bulletMove systems computer controls and telephone and network controls and servers to central location.
bulletInstall new security systems and replace all battery operated smoke detectors with hard-wired models.
bulletAdd two new handicap-equipped bathrooms by main chapel and lower hallway.
bulletAll new interior HVAC ductwork, equipment and in-room personal controls and thermostats for heat and air conditioning.
bulletNew elevator.
bulletNew drop ceilings and lighting in main common areas and halls.
bulletAll new interior fire doors in hallways and rooms with auto-closers.
bulletComplete the demolition of the old machine room and any remaining asbestos abatement and install the new outside HVAC equipment in both the old machine room and the new building west of the HVAC towers.
bulletEnclose main foyer stairwell at lower level for fire code.
bulletAdd new HVAC equipment rooms throughout facility and install new elevator.
bulletInstall push button security door locks on common area entrances.
bulletConvert twenty Monastery bedrooms and four common bathrooms to fourteen two-room suites with private bathrooms.  Our Lady of Florida will have the opportunity to use these two-room suites with multiple beds.
bulletConvert two small upstairs altar areas to one.

I can’t imagine what position we would be in if the Passionist Province of St Paul of the Cross did not fund this project.  If there are any of you who still think Our Lady of Florida has any money in the bank from the sale of seven acres of property in 2004, let me assure you we do not.  The proceeds from the sale belong to the province as does this facility and the sale proceeds went directly to the province.  When the construction is over, the provincial support will no longer be available.  This project will put an additional strain on operating income that will be borne by increased attendance, events, requested stipends and ministry.  Also, very significantly by the generosity of our benefactors and friends who have always seen Our Lady of Florida as the spiritual oasis that it is and if left unsupported by their time, talent and treasure would leave a void that could never be filled.  They are right on all counts! 

 While the Passionists are investing more than $10 million of their funds in Our Lady of Florida we still want to try to complete work, originally scheduled to be part of the project, which had to be removed due to cost.  These items include more parking, painting the outside of the facilities, more-than-basic landscaping, replacing the retreat house room doors so they open out, re-working and re-surfacing all the concrete decks for better water control, baluster and other concrete repairs, new statuary and religious art, re-sealing the stain glass wall in the Main Chapel – and the list goes on.  The Passionists have made their commitment to us all and we can join in their effort in many ways.  To learn what you can do to help please contact me at 561-626-1300, Ext 29 or use my e-mail.

 Please pray for us!!

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: July 31, 2008