RENOVATION UPDATE
November 11, 2018
Unity Landscape Project Update
Funds were approved by the membership for the courtyard landscaping project. We are currently waiting for our City building permit, and then once permit received, construction will start! Our sacred space will soon have a nicely developed elegant presence. Highlights of the project include:
· Mix of colored concrete courtyard and ornamental gravel patio areas. Concrete color will coordinate with existing seeded concrete and within courtyard will be three 14’ x 12’ planter beds,
· 8 new trees and over 400 new plants within and around the courtyard area,
· 2 10’x16’ shade sail cloths with room to add more and/or add umbrellas,
· Irrigation upgrades, adding electricity and new trash cans,
· Wooden bench seating will be coming in future with separate fundraising effort, and
· Keeping some of the existing Natal plum hedge and adding new hedge plantings in entrance areas for screening and welcoming feel.
March 15, 2018
There are a few items yet to be completed:
- Frosting glass on the skylights
- Upgraded sound and audio systems
- Window coverings in new classroom/meeting space
- New carpet in the Sanctuary (Sometime in March)
- Heating and Air Conditioning completion
Here are more details;
- We have received architectual drawings for the new ADA bathrooms
- We have received a bid for the construction of the new ADA bathrooms
- We await the design proposal for the new Landscape
Direct your questions about the Building Upgrades to Joan in the office (966-2239 or unity@santabarbaraunity.org) and she will connect you with the proper person to give you more information.
November 30
November 7
1. Youth Classroom/Meeting Rooms: Completed! The Youth materials were moved in this week thanks to Jennifer, Barbara, members from two SpiritGroups and other Volunteers!
2. Kitchen configuration is complete! We added about 60 sf with the removal of the two existing walls between the kitchen and the classrooms and the cabinets and counters were moved to the enlarged room. Future changes to our restrooms will again change the kitchen size in 2018 but for the Holidays 2017 we will enjoy a larger kitchen and work space with stove and pantry intact.
3. Sanctuary Upgrades: Chairs have been ordered! Air conditioning is almost done, painting touch ups to do; color palette will remain same for Sanctuary. New opaque glass skylights and roof shutters ordered; new 20 year membrane roof will go in soon. Dedicated electrical to audio and visual equipment and new equipment selection completed.
4. Roof repairs will be done in Nov. on all buildings when Sanctuary receives a new roof; drainage/sitting water to be corrected.
5. Architectural plans are being created to convert all 3 restrooms for disabled use in compliance with local and federal regulations as well as the Courtyard and landscaping designs—all to start when permits received, hopefully in February 2018. Meanwhile some landscape improvements will be made.
October 19
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Youth Classroom/Meeting Rooms: Painting and floor surfaces are finishing this week; entrance door change to accommodate accessibility; new heating and air conditioning system installed; lighting next week; completion 10/27.
2. New Administration offices: check out the new book cases and glass privacy additions. Air conditioning and new data lines working great!
3. Sanctuary Upgrades: air conditioning almost done, painting touch ups to do; new opaque glass skylights and roof shutters ordered; new 20 year membrane roof
4. Kitchen will change configuration, adding about 60 sf with the removal of the two existing walls between the kitchen and the classrooms and new electrical work and air conditioning access. Drywall underway then cabinets and counters to be moved. Future changes to our restrooms will again change the kitchen size in 2018 but for the Holidays 2017 we will enjoy a larger kitchen and work space with stove and pantry intact.
5. Roof repairs will be done in Nov. on all buildings when Sanctuary receives a new roof; drainage/sitting water to be corrected.
6. All exterior metal railings and gates have been sanded, primed and painted.
7. Architectural plans are being created to convert all 3 restrooms for disabled use in compliance with local and federal regulations as well as the Courtyard and landscaping designs—all to start when permits received, hopefully in February 2018. Meanwhile some landscape improvements will be made.
8. Meanwhile our thanks to Armstrong Construction and their excellent, kind superintendent Tom, for working with us on the many phases of, and changes to, this work in order to support the activities at Unity while keeping to our budget.
9. Huge thanks for the patience of Minister, staff, and volunteers who have worked kindly during this long process.
10. And finally, although this report was created by Nola, we are adding a note to express our gratitude to Nola for her steadfast commitment to clarity, economy, efficiency, and peacefulness as she oversees this building project.
Update, August 31
Our Timeline for September includes:
· Finishing touches on the Admin Offices
· Completion of the Classrooms and Nursery
· Installation of the AC systems in the Classrooms and Sanctuary
· Ordering comfortable chairs and carpeting for the Sanctuary (blue)
· Complete the painting of the Sanctuary interior (same colors)
· Free Trial for the Hearing Loops in the Sanctuary
· Complete Music Director’s Office (new ceiling, lights)
· Repair of roofs
· Bid for Solar
· Begin permit process to convert main bathrooms for disability access (ADA)
· Redesign kitchen to accommodate ADA bathrooms
· Complete design for courtyard and landscaping in front
· Install new ramp landscaping in front
· Recondition and paint wrought iron handrails, side fence and gate
· Finish Upgrade on electric system
· Install upgrades for Sanctuary audio and video systems
· Install fans in Chapel
· Thanks, Unity Community for your good input
· And we are still under budget!
From your busy Building Committee: Rev Larry, Diane Doiron, Jessica Smith, Derek Carlson and Nola Force

Update, August 24
Here is an update on our Building Project:
We successfully moved into our new administrative offices on August 22. What a pleasure it is to be in our beautiful new space. Thank you to all who helped in the move! We are up & running and will be settled completely very soon! We are beginning construction of the new Youth Building. Starting with the ceiling removal, and a new heating and air conditioning installation...other changes are happening the week of August 28.

Update, August 9, 2017
The new Administrative Offices will be completed by Friday, August 18. A long time coming but soon we will be moving and setting up our new space. If you want to lend a hand, talk with Joan. 966-2239 or email her at unity@santabarbaraunity.org
The Youth Classrooms will be next, and the two bathrooms and the kitchen are being redesigned to facilitate disabled persons. Depending on the City permit process this may be completed this year. The Sanctuary upgrades are scheduled to be done in October of this year.
Update, July 26, 2017
Here is an update on our Building Project:
Rendering of Upcoming Remodel of Sanctuary
Update, July 7, 2017
Here is an update on our Building Project:
The administrative offices are on track to be complete by mid-July.
Youth Classrooms' construction will take place in August.
Update, June 29, 2017
Here is an update on our Building Project:
· There was a change to the layout in the administrative offices, so we were delayed as the architect made new drawings for the City to approve. Permit in hand, we are back on track, with a revised end time of mid-July.
· Nola will be available in the new offices between services on Sunday.
Update, June 7, 2017
Here is an update on our Building Project:
The paint has been selected, carpet tiles are on order, and we're measuring for desks and furniture, preparing for our move to the new administrative offices.
Nola will be available in the new offices between services on Sunday.
Update May 18, 2017
Here is an update on our Building Project:
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Demo in Noreen's new office is complete.
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Expect drywall, paint, carpeting to be complete in Noreen's office by the end of the week, May 19.
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New Administrative offices demo is scheduled for week of May 22
Update May 4, 2017
Here is an update on our Building Project:
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Our contractor, Armstrong Associates, pulled our construction permit on May 1.
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Our floor coverings, are made by Curtis Carpets of SB in shades of blue, selected by our interior designer and Unity member Jessica Risko-Smith, and approved by our staff.
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Renovation begins this week on the new Administrative offices with the move in date is scheduled for the end of May.
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The Children's classrooms’ renovation is expected to finish by the end of June.
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Roof repairs and cement walkway repairs are underway.
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The work is underway weekdays with minimal disruption of daily Unity activities
Update April 28, 2017
We have hired Armstrong Construction and they will begin demolition of existing walls to make way for the new Administration offices and an office for Noreen. We will move the Admin offices in May and the Childres's Wing renovation will be in June. We will also be completing some deferred maintenance items.
Update April 14, 2017
Following a unanimous vote of approval at our community meeting last Sunday we are authorized to move ahead and hire Armstrong Construction to begin the first phase of our building project. We are blessed and grateful!
At the April 9 Special Membership Meeting, the plans of the Building Committee were approved to complete the children's classrooms and administrative offices as well as upgrade the electrical capacity as needed in all buildings, install a Hearing Loop installation in the Sanctuary, repair the Sanctuary roof shutters, repair leaks and wall stains in the Chapel basement, as well as other needed improvements. This increased scope of work in the improvement project will be done now to better organize the work and make economical use of our contractor time. The estimated cost of this project has not changed but costs between the Phases have been reassigned and a larger reserve added to the budget.
Work will begin shortly in the administrative/bookstore area and then move to the classrooms. Construction is expected to occur during the May-July timeframe and will only minimally hamper the event schedule at Unity. The Building Committee continues to be responsible to the Board for supervision of this project with Nola Force as liaison between the architect, contractor, committee and Board. She can be reached at 530-966-0916 by call, text or email nolaforce@gmail.com.
Update March 31, 2017
Friday, March 31, 2017
Re: Vote of the Membership on Building Project Expenditure
Dear Unity of Santa Barbara Member,
Please attend the Unity of Santa Barbara Membership Meeting on Sunday, April 9th to be held after the second service at approximately 12:30 PM. The purpose of the meeting is to vote on an expenditure in excess of $25,000. Specifics regarding the expenditure are provided in the Building Committee Report and the Updated Remodel Project Budget accompanying this notice.
We are sending this notice in accordance with the Bylaws, which state as follows: “#3.04 Powers of Active Members…(d): Vote on any question of sale or pledge of real property owned and/or used for the operation of this Ministry, or any expenditure that exceeds twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) in value. A majority of those active members in attendance is required to approve the sale, pledge, or expenditure.”
At its March 28, 2017 regular meeting the Board of Trustees approved an expenditure covering the $175,600, subject to the approval vote of the Membership on April 9, 2017. This expenditure is for the remodel of the Youth and Administration areas, ADA compliance, pantry revision, deferred maintenance, and sanctuary repairs to the skylights and upper windows. Additional details about the project will be provided to the members at the April 9th meeting, with time for questions and discussion. In the meantime, if you have any questions please contact the Building Committee Chairperson, Nola Force at nolaforce@gmail.com.
With abundant blessings on behalf of the Unity of Santa Barbara Board of Trustees,
MaryJo McGrath,
Board President
Below are links to the Building Committee report and the Remodel Budget
Building Committee Report
Remodel Budget
Update January 26, 2017
GOOD NEWS! The building permit is ready for Phase One!
First of all, we want to thank Jessica Risko-Smith, our Board of Trustee’s Vice President, talented Interior Designer and Unity’s remodel and construction consultant, for the long process of stewarding the Building Committee through the design and permit process; and special thanks to the other members of the Building Committee focus group, Rev. Larry, Derek Carlson and Diane Doiron for their many ideas and hours of planning.
Now we introduce Nola Force, a board member with over 20 years of construction and property management who will be updating you this year on the building project progress while working on the building committee. The remodeling and move of the administrative offices to the Sanctuary wing, and the remodel of what will now be the children’s classrooms will begin after final selection of materials and a general contractor, now underway. We currently are receiving final bids. Questions? Text or call Nola at 530-966-0916 or see her at Unity!
Update October 27, 2016
Update September 29, 2016
Our plans for the Administrative Offices/Youth Classrooms Project (Phase 1) were finally approved by Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) on Wednesday, September 21. We are waiting for their staff to finalize everything and below is the schedule and information as submitted by Dennis Thompson of Thompson Naylor Architects
Phase I:
- We expect to have all of our consultants’ work completed by Oct. 7 including electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, structural, and surveyor drawings.
- These drawings will be coordinated and submitted to HLC for Final sign-off and approval Oct. 19.
- We can then submit to the Building Dept. and go out to Bid to General Contractors on Oct. 20. Building Department review is 6-8 weeks.
- We can expect a Building Permit by approximately Dec 15.
Phase 2:
- We are scheduled for Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) concept review on Oct. 5. We have reviewed the design preliminarily with their staff and this will be the first review by the full HLC Board.
Update September 1, 2016
Our plans for the 1st phase of the project (relocation of Admin offices and develop Youth class space) were conditionally approved by the Historic Landmark Commission last week! Additional engineering consultations for A/C and electrical are in process in preparation for submitting complete Phase I plans to City and solicitation of competitive bids by end of September. We are grateful for the progress and excited about the new changes to support more efficient facility usage and our Youth and Family ministry that are within sight! Watch this page for periodic updates as progress unfolds.
Update August 24, 2016
Our plans for the 1st phase of the project (relocation of Admin offices and develop Youth class space) were submitted to the Historic Landmark Commission today! Once we have their approval we will complete bid packages to submit to City and solicit contractor bids. We are moving forward!
Update July 1, 2016
Update June 17, 2016
Update June 5, 2016
Update April 29, 2016
Update April 21, 2016