Frequently Asked Questions
1. In brief, why are we investing in a remodel of the FBC building?
3. What are the functional goals for the remodel?
4. How will this be accomplished through the remodel?
5. Is it better to move to a new building than to remodel?
We’ve looked at several commercial properties (warehouses and office buildings) from Burlingame to San Carlos for about 5 years and have found nothing that is comprehensively suitable. Belmont and San Mateo (to a lesser degree than Belmont) have been reluctant to let a non-profit entity own a commercial building since a non-profit would not pay property tax. Office buildings generally did not have large meeting rooms from a sanctuary. Warehouses would have required a few million dollars to remodel.
6. Why are we investing in the Ralston building at this time?
After realizing that a larger and functional property is not affordable and rarely available, we recognize that 2710 Ralston has been a gift from the Lord with excellent location. We have not done any major work on the 50+ year old building outside of carpets, wood floors, sound upgrades and padded pews.
7. How will the building remodel enhance the ministry of the church?
A handicap ramp and ADA (American Disability Act) regulation bathrooms (upstairs and downstairs) will be more welcoming for those lacking mobility. A fresh exterior, a more welcoming foyer and more functional classrooms will take away antiquated feel of the 1960’s motif. There will be a new nursery and kitchen. The fellowship hall will be subdivided with a movable wall. There will be easier access to downstairs with a new downstairs entry.
8. Why are we not expanding our sanctuary?
According to the city code, the number of seats is limited by the number of parking spaces (4 seats to 1 parking space). A significant expansion is not possible with the number of parking spaces our 1/3rd of an acre property has.
9. How will we address the problem of overcrowding?
The immediate solution would be to add a third service (Sat night, Sun pm, during Sunday School, live or recorded). The ultimate solution would be to plant other churches from FBC. Thus, Belmont could be the hub of starting new church plants and training church planters.
10. How will we solve the problem of a lack of parking spaces?
We will lose some parking spaces (66 current spaces to 58?) with our remodel because fire engine access and regulated striping. But we are endeavoring to retain as many spaces as possible. Our sister churches in the inner-city have no parking lots and have to pay meters blocks away - perspectives bring appreciation. We are grateful for many of our young members who park on the street to allow visitors and those who need to be in the lot to have access to our limited spaces. We have been contacted by Crystal Springs Upland Middle School (being built on Davis St.) about the possibility of sharing spaces (they use our spaces on the weekdays, we use their spaces on the weekend). A parking lot ministry and a shuttle service are being considered.
12. How will the building remodel benefit the children and youth ministries?
A new nursery will be designed to minister to new families. Classrooms will be reconfigured to be more functional for the diverse classes.
13. How will the building remodel benefit the adult ministry?
Handicap access to both floors and all restrooms will benefit those who need assistance. Reconfigured classes will enable more mid-size classes and fellowships to meet.
15. Can we build a gym?
A gym is a dream feature for any church. In our limited property, a gym would be unlikely. We are grateful for the relationship Pastor Kevin has built with the Boys and Girls Club of San Mateo which has given us an opportunity to rent their facility.
16. Can we build up?
Belmont zoning laws limit buildings to 28 feet, and we are already at 25.5’ at our highest point, not including the steeple. Thus we cannot built up.
17. Can we dig down?
Possibly, but the cost would be too high.
18. How much will this cost?
This will be determined by the bidding process, but we did get a professional estimate of between $2.0 to $2.5 million.
19. How much square footage will be added?
Given the constraints of zoning laws, we are not able to add a lot of usable space to our current building. The current plan (which has yet to be approved by the city) is to add about 575 square feet.
20. How long will the remodel take?
We won't know until we hire a contractor and they present a project plan.
21. Will we need to meet in a temporary space during the remodel?
It will depend on what areas are affected by the remodel. We'll know more once we select a contractor.
22. Are we updating the kitchen? Why?
Yes, we are updating the kitchen, both to bring it up to current code, as well as to make it easier for ministries to use the kitchen.
23. How will we raise the money?
We've established a fund raising committee which will work with the whole church to raise funds through donations, fund raisers, and other activities.
24. Why don’t we rent?
God has blessed the church with a building we own. The building is centrally located in Belmont, allowing us to serve people as far north as San Franciso and as far south as Palo Alto. Owning our own property gives us financial flexibility and protection from rising rents as real estate appreciates in the Bay Area.
25. Why aren't we adding an elevator?
We don't have the space, it'd be very expensive, and we're already making it easier for those with disabilities to get up and downstairs with a new ramp and expanded entrance space.
26. What's the high level schedule?
Our current plan is to submit plans to the city for approval by December 2016. After that, we anticipate:
- Stewardship: To create a functional space for ministry to honor the Lord through reflecting His excellence, to serve people well with a quality building and to reach out to the community with the building that God has provided for us
- Story: We have occupied this 60 year old building for almost 25 years (Nov, 1992) without putting significant improvement into it. When visitors see the church building, they see an old building with little improvement for the 1960’s. This aging structure also falls short in seismic building standards, water damage, normal wear and a need for reconfiguration and expansion for a church larger than the building was intended for . While not seeking to be excessive with style, we seek to be excellent in function. .
- To glorify God in being a good steward of the building He gave us (1 Cor 10:31; Hag 2:9).
- To have a building which extends hospitality to greater community we seek to reach (Heb 13:2)
- To change the cultural mindset of the congregation towards giving the Lord our excellence, not our 2nd hand donations. (2 Pet 1:3; Phil 4:8; Hag 1:4)
3. What are the functional goals for the remodel?
- Accessibility: giving greater access to the disabled and elderly community
- Functionality: giving more usable space for ministry
- Fortification And Improvement: to be to be a steward of an over 50 year old building by strengthening, improving and modernizing
4. How will this be accomplished through the remodel?
- Inclusivity and Accessibility: giving greater access to the disabled and elderly community
- Handicap ramps and restrooms will be accessible on both floors as we seek to be ADA compliant
- This will enhance our building for more ministries and community events (polling station, weddings, funerals)
- Functionality and Flexibility: giving more usable space for ministry
- Upgraded classrooms will better serve the children, youth and adult ministries
- Larger rooms can be subdivided
- New nursery will serve the needs of young family
- New kitchen will enhance food related ministries
- Expanded foyer will be more welcoming
- Extended fellowship hall will be more functional
- Fortify And Refresh: strengthen, improve and modernize an over 50 year old building
- Building foundation will be fortified to current seismic standards
- Bathrooms will be upgraded
- Air and heating system will be improved
- Water drainage and sewage will be improved
5. Is it better to move to a new building than to remodel?
We’ve looked at several commercial properties (warehouses and office buildings) from Burlingame to San Carlos for about 5 years and have found nothing that is comprehensively suitable. Belmont and San Mateo (to a lesser degree than Belmont) have been reluctant to let a non-profit entity own a commercial building since a non-profit would not pay property tax. Office buildings generally did not have large meeting rooms from a sanctuary. Warehouses would have required a few million dollars to remodel.
6. Why are we investing in the Ralston building at this time?
After realizing that a larger and functional property is not affordable and rarely available, we recognize that 2710 Ralston has been a gift from the Lord with excellent location. We have not done any major work on the 50+ year old building outside of carpets, wood floors, sound upgrades and padded pews.
7. How will the building remodel enhance the ministry of the church?
A handicap ramp and ADA (American Disability Act) regulation bathrooms (upstairs and downstairs) will be more welcoming for those lacking mobility. A fresh exterior, a more welcoming foyer and more functional classrooms will take away antiquated feel of the 1960’s motif. There will be a new nursery and kitchen. The fellowship hall will be subdivided with a movable wall. There will be easier access to downstairs with a new downstairs entry.
8. Why are we not expanding our sanctuary?
According to the city code, the number of seats is limited by the number of parking spaces (4 seats to 1 parking space). A significant expansion is not possible with the number of parking spaces our 1/3rd of an acre property has.
9. How will we address the problem of overcrowding?
The immediate solution would be to add a third service (Sat night, Sun pm, during Sunday School, live or recorded). The ultimate solution would be to plant other churches from FBC. Thus, Belmont could be the hub of starting new church plants and training church planters.
10. How will we solve the problem of a lack of parking spaces?
We will lose some parking spaces (66 current spaces to 58?) with our remodel because fire engine access and regulated striping. But we are endeavoring to retain as many spaces as possible. Our sister churches in the inner-city have no parking lots and have to pay meters blocks away - perspectives bring appreciation. We are grateful for many of our young members who park on the street to allow visitors and those who need to be in the lot to have access to our limited spaces. We have been contacted by Crystal Springs Upland Middle School (being built on Davis St.) about the possibility of sharing spaces (they use our spaces on the weekdays, we use their spaces on the weekend). A parking lot ministry and a shuttle service are being considered.
12. How will the building remodel benefit the children and youth ministries?
A new nursery will be designed to minister to new families. Classrooms will be reconfigured to be more functional for the diverse classes.
13. How will the building remodel benefit the adult ministry?
Handicap access to both floors and all restrooms will benefit those who need assistance. Reconfigured classes will enable more mid-size classes and fellowships to meet.
15. Can we build a gym?
A gym is a dream feature for any church. In our limited property, a gym would be unlikely. We are grateful for the relationship Pastor Kevin has built with the Boys and Girls Club of San Mateo which has given us an opportunity to rent their facility.
16. Can we build up?
Belmont zoning laws limit buildings to 28 feet, and we are already at 25.5’ at our highest point, not including the steeple. Thus we cannot built up.
17. Can we dig down?
Possibly, but the cost would be too high.
18. How much will this cost?
This will be determined by the bidding process, but we did get a professional estimate of between $2.0 to $2.5 million.
19. How much square footage will be added?
Given the constraints of zoning laws, we are not able to add a lot of usable space to our current building. The current plan (which has yet to be approved by the city) is to add about 575 square feet.
20. How long will the remodel take?
We won't know until we hire a contractor and they present a project plan.
21. Will we need to meet in a temporary space during the remodel?
It will depend on what areas are affected by the remodel. We'll know more once we select a contractor.
22. Are we updating the kitchen? Why?
Yes, we are updating the kitchen, both to bring it up to current code, as well as to make it easier for ministries to use the kitchen.
23. How will we raise the money?
We've established a fund raising committee which will work with the whole church to raise funds through donations, fund raisers, and other activities.
24. Why don’t we rent?
God has blessed the church with a building we own. The building is centrally located in Belmont, allowing us to serve people as far north as San Franciso and as far south as Palo Alto. Owning our own property gives us financial flexibility and protection from rising rents as real estate appreciates in the Bay Area.
25. Why aren't we adding an elevator?
We don't have the space, it'd be very expensive, and we're already making it easier for those with disabilities to get up and downstairs with a new ramp and expanded entrance space.
26. What's the high level schedule?
Our current plan is to submit plans to the city for approval by December 2016. After that, we anticipate:
- +3-6 months: City planning process, culminating in an approval to build
- +3-6 months: After city approval, we would issue a Request for Proposals and select a general contractor
- +1 month: Once we select a General Contractor, we'd work with the city to obtain building permits
- Unknown: Once we're approved to build, construction would begin. We don't know at this point how long the project will last.