A discrepancy has been found from the original deed when we purchased the property from Woodland Park Baptist Church and the new boundaries determined by our new survey. This survey was necessary to continue the process for determining the soft cost projections for the renovation project. There is a possibility that we do not own twenty five feet of property along Standifer Gap Road. The Crossing Church has hired a civil engineer to work with our architect to assist with the applications necessary to retain this property.

It was proposed and agreed that the best way to react was to ask for a “Right of Way Abandonment”. This would allow us to be granted the property back from the City of Chattanooga. The civil engineer and the architect are now in the process of getting all the documentation in place to apply for this with The Regional Planning Agency. This initial application must be presented to them by November 10, 2011. There will be many steps necessary to complete this process and we are just in the beginning stages.

As we progress and new information is available, we will continue to post these developments  on this page. We are believing this will all work out and God’s plan will continue. Please be in prayer for the Lord’s favor.

Joe Massa

If you have any questions about either of these issues, please contact me by email. My email address is here.

Thank you for your passionate hearts for God and His Kingdom work!

Love,

Pastor Harris

This letter is to make you aware of what has been transpiring concerning the facilities projections which we shared with you several weeks ago. We obviously have not been able to maintain the schedule which we initially wished to be on. The reason for the delay is that the first action was to obtain a current survey of our properties. This survey was completed about two weeks ago and the survey revealed some discrepancies from the original survey on the property and our deeds, which are filed in the courthouse downtown. Since that time, the surveyor has been researching the issues and consulting with Steve Carroll who is the architect (and church member) working for us on this project.

The church is currently working with the city on Right-of Way delineations on Standifer Gap Road and Walker Road to allow the Church to expand its borders and to approve the placement of the crosses. The Church is also clarifying TDOT restrictions on the property to the south. The Consultants hope to have all the information to the Church by the end of next week. That has to first be completely resolved before the soft cost analysis can be most accurately determined.

These are the reasons that you have not received any information in the mail as of yet. When this process is completed an information packet will be provided to fully inform the body about the full scope of the potential projects. The church’s financial information will also be provided and we will, in writing, attempt to answer potential questions. Then we will announce a meeting time with the body to attempt to answer any further questions. When the body is prepared to make an informed decision, then we will set the date to make our decisions as to what, when, how, or how much we do.

The Media department will set up a blog on our web site. We will update the blog with the proper current information in order to keep you informed of this process. This will enable us to communicate with you often without us having the expense of several mail outs ($300.00-$400.00 per announcement). If you go to our web site, click on the Events page to find the blog. The direct address to the blog is www.thecrossingchattanooga/events.

One thing which will need to be acted on soon is concerning the modular classrooms. A ministry has verbally offered to purchase these and pay to move them off site. They will be asked to provide a purchase agreement along with a down payment and then we will need to decide to sell them. They are in need of them presently and we certainly need to allow them to get them. The classes that presently meet in them will be reassigned to other places in our present facilities, and the area will be landscaped to provide a nice appearance.

If you have questions you can email them to the church at info@thecrossingchattanooga.com, and they will be forwarded on to the team working on these projects.

Pastor Harris