ISLAMIC CENTER OF MARYLAND

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Dennis Oliver
5 years ago
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1 Paving the Way to an Enlightened Future.... What? Why? and How?

2 Where Did We Start? In 1980 a group of brothers working in Bechtel Corporation started a prayer gathering (musalla) at Casey Community Center in Gaithersburg. This activity expanded to add a weekly discussion session or halaqa at one of the brother s residence. It was during these sessions that the idea of ICM was conceived, which led to the incorporation of ICM in To support this effort, twenty families agreed to donate a fixed amount per year for five years as the seed money to find a place for ICM. By 1996 around $150, were collected. In 1997 the group came across a property up for auction known as Burke Nursery on Woodfield Rd. ICM participated in the auction, however it lost the bid to a builder. As it turned out and as it was destined by Almighty Allah (SWT) the builder withdrew his bid and ICM being next in line became the owner of the property. Not only this, but ICM was also able to get an interest free loan from the Small Business Administration of about $500,000 to be paid within a year. ICM successfully paid off the loan within the agreed upon period. To convert the existing structures on the ICM property for use by the Muslim community, several experienced community members with backgrounds in civil engineering, g, architecture, and county regulations came together and transformed the buildings to serve the immediate needs of the community. 2

3 Where are We Now? Since the existing structures, modified for public use, were only approved for temporary use the next step was to plan, design, and submit the ICM Master Plan to the County. Again, several brothers with the right experience and background came together and designed and submitted the ICM Master Plan that was approved by the County in Since then, due to various reasons, little progress was made towards materializing the Master Plan. This resulted in ICM coming under pressure to either forgo the Master Plan or seek exception (waiver) to a County regulation (8% rule), which would limit construction to only 8% of the 10 acre land owned by ICM. Obviously abandoning the Master Plan was not the option. ICM received its first exception (waiver) to the 8% rule in 2005 for 3 years. However, no reasonable progress occurred in the next 3 years and ICM had to again lobby the County and the Park and Planning Commission to extend the exception to another 3 years. After much lobbying and an impressive show by the community members at the hearing ICM received its second waiver to the 8% rule in This exception, which will expire in 2011, is pretty much the last the County and the Planning Commission have granted unless ICM shows serious work towards implementing its Master Plan and starts construction by January

4 So, What s The Rush? 4

5 WHAT is 8% Rule? ICM is located in environmentally sensitive wet land zoning area that under county regulations can only be developed up to 8 percent of the total land unless an exception is granted. This means that we can only develop 0.8 acre of the 10 acre lot. The rule requires that the remaining 9.2 acres be left in a natural state (trees and lawns) without any impervious structures like parking lot, sidewalks, or buildings. ICM appealed and obtained an exception from the county. This exception, second in a row, was granted on the condition that ICM achieves some definite milestones, like land development, building permit, and construction ti by January

6 Here s How 8% Rule May Affect ICM If we fail to start t construction by January 2011 & end up losing our exception to the 8% rule then the only constructed areas on the ICM property may be the ones shown in the red box. Everything else will have to be demolished & returned to natural state. 6

7 What About Community Needs? We have clearly outgrown our existing temporary facilities: We need a place for large congregational prayers We need a place for youth activities We need a place for social activities iti We need a place for educational activities We need a place to invite others and reach out to and serve the community at large 7

8 Hmm!! 8

9 OK, Fine. But How? What is our Master Plan? What are we building? What will it cost? How are we going to do it? All good questions.. Don t stop.. Read on! 9

10 ICM Master Plan The drawing here shows the plan submitted to and approved by the County in Note that this plan locks us into the footprints of the proposed buildings. The shaded area shows the proposed buildings. Details follow on the next pages. New IC CM Access Road So outh W Woodfield Road Road North 10

11 Master Plan (continued) Here, we highlight the proposed buildings in the Master Plan. School Multipurpose Hall Gymnasium & Kitchen Masjid So outh Woodfield Road North 11

12 Master Plan (continued) Here, you see the proposed buildings in the Master Plan along with the existing temporary buildings superimposed in red outlines. Portables Metal Building Sisters Hall Masjid So outh W Woodfield d Road Pavilion & Library North 12

13 Phase 1 & 2 of the Master Plan Phase 1 & 2 of the Master Plan will insha Allah add the buildings shown in these shaded areas. Portables Metal Building Sisters Hall Masjid So outh W Woodfield d Road Pavilion & Library North 13

14 OK. So, What Are We Building? Phase 1 & 2 will include a large two story facility with approximately 40,000 square feet of usable space to include a gymnasium, multipurpose hall, class rooms, conference rooms, offices, commercial kitchen, eating lounge, child care facility, bookstore, bathrooms with lockers, and other associated facilities. All areas will be appropriately equipped with audio/visual aids as well as computer and network ready. The gymnasium and the multipurpose hall will also provide space for holding large congregational prayers such as Eid prayers and gatherings during Ramadan. Multipurpose hall will provide ample space for the community to hold social, informational, and educational events. 14

15 Phase 1 & 2 Elevation Front Right View (showing bordered facade) 15

16 Phase 1 & 2 Elevation Front Left View (showing plain facade) 16

17 First Floor Plan (As of Oct 24. Some changes have been made to this plan and will be posted soon.) South Woodfield Road North 17

18 Second Floor Plan (As of Oct 24. Some changes have been made to this plan and will be posted soon.) South Woodfield Road North 18

19 Where are We Building? 19

20 Fine But What Will it Cost? The estimated cost for the entire Phase 1 & 2 construction is roughly $6 million to be completed by For the ground-breaking g( (i.e. land development) milestone, we need about $1.2 million by March Estimated cost for the first floor structure (including land development for the entire Master Plan) is a little over $3.5 million. 20

21 But.. Why not a masjid? Why not expand our existing facilities? Interesting questions here are the answers: Based on the phased approach, the plan is to continue using our existing buildings until all proposed buildings in the Master Plan are completed. This way not only we do not have to demolish anything but we add more space. For example, we currently have a masjid which for the most part serves our daily and weekly needs reasonably well. By adding the building in Phase 1 & 2 we add even more space for large congregational prayers and community events that our existing structures cannot support. Insha Allah, in the phase after Phase 1 & 2 we will add the masjid proposed in the Master Plan. Remember that our existing buildings are all temporary structures only modified for community use until our Master Plan is completed. As part of this arrangement, the County does not allow any expansion to the existing buildings. 21

22 Let s Talk about the How Part No doubt the task is daunting and the challenge is serious. We need: About $1.2 million by March 2010, About $3 million by February 2011, and $6 million by June However, the task is not impossible and here s how: To finish land development for Phase 1 & 2 and the construction of the entire first floor Need about = $3.6 M Have about = K Need to Raise = $2.725 M ICM owns 3400 Burial $750 each. If 1,700 families in the area obtain 2 sites each Money raised = $2.55 M Community to raise = $175 K Remember that we are already close to meeting our target of $1.2 million by March But this isn t how we will build. 22

23 With absolute faith in Allah (SWT) and obedience to His Messenger (SAS) we will continue to follow the right path and shall pave the same for others to follow, for we are commanded by Allah (SWT): To Him belongs what is in the heavens and on earth, and all between them, and all beneath the soil. And His Messenger (SAS) says: That if you are planting a sapling and you hear the trumpet being called out for the Day of Judgment, do not be disturbed by the call but continue in your work and finish the job at hand. 23

LARAMIE COUNTY PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT OFFICE 3966 Archer Pkwy Cheyenne, WY Phone (307) Fax (307)

LARAMIE COUNTY PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT OFFICE 3966 Archer Pkwy Cheyenne, WY Phone (307) Fax (307) 3966 Archer Pkwy Cheyenne, WY 82009 planning@laramiecounty.com Phone (307) 633-4303 Fax (307) 633-4616 SITE PLAN REVIEW PROCESS 1. Pre-Application Meeting: The applicant shall meet with a Laramie County