After a seemingly endless hiatus and at the risk of too many expectations, this spring we are planning a number of projects that will complete Phase I of our four-phase development plan.

The projects are:
• Cloister office building
• Accessible guest facility/public restrooms
• Cloister duplex (near the women’s restrooms)

By the fall, our cloister infrastructure should be much improved. Given that everybody has been so squeezed for space, there will be a great sigh of relief. Similarly, we will get adequate toilet and hand-washing facilities. Finally, we will remodel the kitchen space in the house so there will be some elbowroom, along with improved appliances and preparation and storage facilities. This should tide us over until we are able to build the Reception Building.

In the broader view, we have made two major changes in our building team. We have hired a new architectural firm, JSW/D Architects of Berkeley, with Helen Degenhardt as our primary architect. This firm has worked with other Buddhist groups including Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Tassajara and Green Gulch Farm, so they are very experienced with work for spiritual communities.

We are also bringing a new contractor on board. He is Bob Madlem of Redwood Valley.We have seen examples of his excellent work and have heard rave reviews from his clients. This year will see lots of activity, some inconvenience and, in the end, a much improved cloister area.

Below is the plan for the cloister office building and the public restroom building, which will both be located behind the current house and carport area.