Property Acquisition

Research

We researched the local area real estate market and viewed advertised and offered parcels of land for sale on the open market.

Offer

Bob and Shirley Lindley of Pittsboro Presbyterian Church offered us a chance to purchase at below market price a 12-acre parcel of land off Mann's Chapel Road that was not on the open market.

Development Suitability

After we determined that the land was suitable for the level of development we want, we gave the Lindleys an earnest money deposit equal to the value of one acre of the land.  Part of the determination of suitability was the positive result of the soil percolation test that showed that 7 of the 12 acres would support a traditional septic system.

Engineering Analysis

We contracted with McAdams Engineers to produce a conceptual site plan, prepared a wetland evaluation and a survey of the 12-acre lot within the Lindley's 40-acre parcel of land.  The results of the studies were all positive.

Community Support

We met with Mitch Barron of Newland Communities, developers of Briar Chapel, who agreed to give us an access easement across their land to Great Ridge Parkway at no charge.

Presbytery Support

Salem Presbytery gave us $100,000 toward the purchase of our land.  We determined that we could take a loan for the remaining amount needed to purchase the property.  The Session approved the loan application.

Engineering Support

We met with McAdams engineers and the Briar Chapel neighborhood project manager for Newland Communities who agreed to install a water tap at our driveway at no charge.  They also agreed to include our church in their neighborhood signage program.

Design/Build General Contractor Interviews

We requested proposals from a short list of three design build firms.  In June 2008 the entire Property Committee went to the professionals' offices to review the proposals.  All the firms presented their ideas for developing our church in phases.  We selected Riggs-Harrod, and WKWW architects of Charlotte, who specialize in church design.  Forming a team of engineers, architects and contractors will help us keep costs down and will streamline the work ahead.

Land Purchase

In January of 2009 the purchase of 12 acres of land on Great Ridge Parkway was finalized.  With a gift of $100,000 from Salem Presbytery, the remaining $92,000 was obtained with a loan from the Presbyterian Loan Agency for a total purchase price of $192,000 plus closing costs.

Architect Hired

WKWW, architect, of Charlotte, NC was hired to do an initial survey of our congregation. Grey Hudson, of WKWW created a workbook that was used to gather input from our members.

At the initial meeting on Sunday, May 17, 2009 at North Chatham School, we gathered for a catered lunch following which the congregation was divided into four groups:  Worship, Education,  Administration and Outreach.  Each group responded to a set of questions designed by the architect to elicit information relative to each groups needs in a new church facility.

Four weeks later, on June 14th, we met a second time.  Briar Chapel provided a meeting place for us in their Community Center. We gathered in one group to hear the reports from each of the four group meetings of May 17th. Time was allowed for questions and Grey Hudson of WKWW was on hand to answer questions as well.

Report from WKWW

On July 14, 2009, Grey Hudson presented a written report to the Building/Planning committee.  The first report included an analysis for the long range desires for our entire church campus.  The second report was for Phase I of our building project that would include a sanctuary and education and office space.