YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
Owner/developer: First Baptist Church of Willard
General contractor: Rich Kramer Construction Inc.
Architect: Godwin & Associates Architects & Engineers Inc.
Engineers: Godwin & Associates Architects & Engineers, civil; Godwin & Associates Architects & Engineers, structural; and Building Systems Design Group LLC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing
Size: 7,100 square feet
Estimated cost: $1.2 million
Lender: Missouri Baptist Foundation/Oklahoma Baptist Foundation
Estimated completion: May
Project description: First Baptist Church of Willard is adding classrooms and a new entryway to its existing building. Lead Pastor Dennis Gromer said the Phase I project was in the plans for a few years, during which the congregation raised half of the estimated cost. The remainder is funded by a loan through the Missouri Baptist Foundation in partnership with the Oklahoma foundation. “We secured a very reasonable loan at a very reasonable rate,” Gromer said of the 4.75 percent interest over a 20-year term. “Compared to the local banks, it was about 5.5 percent. And we don’t have to go through the title company for disbursements, which saves another 1-2 percent.” Gromer said the church, which averages 250 people for Sunday services, is planning a new sanctuary during a later capital campaign. First Baptist Church of Willard was founded 130 years ago.
Missouri State University’s science building, built in 1971 and formerly called Temple Hall, is being reconstructed and updated.