Germantown Presbyterian Church,
Germantown, TN

Relocate a mechanical yard and add a building by Easter Sunday? No problem.

The scope

Germantown Presbyterian Church had two main needs. The first was the addition of a new structure for administration space, a choir practice room, youth classrooms, and a welcome center totaling 16,000 SF. The second was for this new structure to become the face and main entry point for the church. This required the architect and Linkous to successfully tie the three pre-existing structures together so the new building could serve as the main entry point to all of the buildings on the church campus.

Challenges & Resolutions

The existing mechanical yard needed to be relocated in order to make room for the new structure. But, before the mechanical yard could be moved, a temporary parking lot had to be built to accommodate the congregation during construction, as well as a new handicapped entrance, without schedule setbacks. Once that was complete, Linkous had to keep the existing facilities cool and operational while moving the mechanical yard, which meant never losing power, even while relocating the transfer. Linkous accomplished this by building the new mechanical yard structure, relocating the units, refrigerant lines, and ductwork, and then coordinating with MLGW to set a new transformer and energize it so that power would not be lost. Not one day at the church was lost or interrupted due to this complicated work and process.

After construction began and the new building was underway, the church asked that an existing courtyard with mature trees be demolished. Linkous then removed the trees and installed a concrete encased storm drain through a 15 foot gap that the new building was about to close in. Linkous accomplished this without damaging any existing structures or causing delays to the schedule.

The final obstacle was the alignment of the existing sanctuary roof with the roof of the new building. It had to look like one, continuous building without any joints or offsets. Linkous measured the existing wood trusses of the sanctuary and had pre-engineered metal trusses built. They fit perfectly based on Linkous’ measurements and observations. 

How the Client was protected

Linkous completed this complex project nearly a month ahead of the original schedule so the new building could be used by the congregation on Easter Sunday. 

Outcome

There was not any additional financial impact to the client, despite several obstacles, nor were there schedule delays. The Client particularly noted Linkous’ attention to detail, ability to respond to questions and concerns immediately, and for accommodating them through this complex and difficult project.

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