FIT FAQs:
1. How long has the FIT been at work?
Moderator Rod Coates and former Executive Pastor Charlie Fuller formed the Facilities Improvement Team in January of 2018 for the purpose of addressing the many maintenance, repair and aesthetic issues associated with our Sanctuary building (completed in 1955) and the Education/Office building (completed in 1982).
2. What congregational decisions have been made at this point?
At the Annual Meeting on May 5, 2019, the congregation approved the following FIT recommendations:
First Baptist Church will enter into formal conversations with Keener-Squire Properties concerning replacing our current Education Building with a shared building. The FIT will return to the church to approve any proposals that come from these conversations.
First Baptist Church will wind down CDC operations over the next 14 months so that the facility is closed as of June 30, 2020.
3. Who is Keener-Squire Properties?
Keener-Squire has been a leading developer, owner and manager of apartments and condominiums in northwest Washington since 1984. The company has developed 34 projects, including The Drake apartment building which was constructed in 2014 through a land lease with First Baptist Church. Current plans allow Keener-Squire to build a 7-story structure on the land currently occupied by the FBC Education/Office building. First Baptist will occupy the ground level and two below-ground floors. Floors two through seven will be apartments similar to the Drake.
Keener-Squire also will renovate most floors of our Sanctuary building. The FIT has enlisted the services of architect Eric Colbert & Associates for this renovation. Mr. Colbert is working with FBC member (and architect) Wil McBeath on architectural drawings for our spaces. Wil shared the preliminary plans at the congregational meeting on Feb. 2 and asked for congregational input.