A $1.358 million commercial construction project in northwest Lawrence is in God's hands.
And Darrel Proffitt likes his - make that His - chances.
"God has called on us to take these risks," said Proffitt, lead pastor for St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 5700 W. Sixth St. "If this all is going to work, and if we're going to continue to have an impact - and an even larger impact - in this corner of the world, then it's going to be God that gets the credit. Because we can't do it."
The project - to put up a 9,200-square-foot multipurpose building just northwest of the existing church - is the largest project granted a building permit last month by the city of Lawrence.
The project helped boost to $7.9 million the total value of permits taken out in July by builders, remodelers, contractors and do-it-yourselfers. The valuation was up from $6.6 million for the same month a year earlier.
Even with the 20 percent spike in overall valuation, the city's home-construction segment continued to lag for the month.
Builders secured permits for 10 new single-family homes during the month, half the number lined up in July 2004 and the lowest for the month since the city issued 10 such permits in July 1989.
July typically is among the busiest months for builders to take out permits for new single-family homes. During the past 10 years, the city has averaged issuing 24.6 such permits in July.
The folks at St. Margaret's haven't noticed a slowdown.
Darrel Proffitt, lead pastor for St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 5700 W. Sixth St., shows a model of the church's multipurpose building project. The $1.3 million expansion was the largest project granted a building permit last month by the city of Lawrence.
The church, founded in 1990, started off with a handful of people meeting in neighbors' basements. As the congregation grew, they moved on to Brandon Woods Retirement Community, then to Quail Run School.
By 1997, they had a new home: a nearly 10,000-square-foot sanctuary on 10 acres.
Now, with some 900 members, the church managed to raise more than $1 million during the past year for an estimated $1.7 million project to provide space for seating another 300 people. The multipurpose building's basketball court will be capable of being configured for seating 300 people for worship or other special events; the building also will have offices, classrooms and, upstairs, a youth lounge featuring a pool table, TV, stereo, soft drinks and other comforts away from home.
"Out here, on the west side, the urban sprawl is just so incredible," said Kathy Gregory, church administrator. "Every day you come in, it just seems like there are neighborhoods popping up all around us.
"We used to be 'that church at the end of town, in the middle of a field, all by itself.' Now we have become 'that church, in town, surrounded by the urban sprawl of the west side.' We're right in the middle of things. It's amazing the progress that's gone on out here, and we're thrilled to death. We're just thrilled to death to be a part of it."
The church isn't done dreaming. Future plans call for twice expanding the main building, plus adding an outdoor amphitheater, soccer fields and other features.
"The only thing that's going to limit us is our imagination," Proffitt said.
Among the other commercial projects issued permits in July, according to a report from the city's Department of Neighborhood Resources:
¢ Remodeling for the future home of Pachamama's restaurant, valued at $625,000, at 800 N.H.
¢ A new Taco Bell building, valued at $450,000, at 1220 W. Sixth St.
¢ Apartment restoration, valued at $137,000, following a fire at 850 Avalon.
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