Midland Park December 15, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 State review approval holds up church construction First Church of Christ, Scientist is awaiting state approval of its building permit before it can proceed with construction at its new Godwin Avenue location in Midland Park across from Memorial Library. The church’s application for a place of assembly needs to be reviewed by the state because the borough is not certified for this type of construction. While waiting for its permit, the church has been able to complete all demolition work, including the removal of the overhead canopy and driveway islands used for the bank’s drive-through. Construction of a small addition to the rear of the property and to the front foyer and the installation of french drains around the entire structure have also been completed. The church had originally expected to maintain all the existing walls from the former Bank of America building. When the bank vault was removed and the wallboard was taken down, however, the builder found that the walls had been structurally compromised and could not support the new construction, according to Nancy Thompson, chairman of the church’s building committee. Thompson stressed that there will be no change to the building footprint approved by the planning board in May. Once building department approvals are secured, framing is expected to take three weeks, with completion anticipated by summer, 2011. The new Williamsburg-style brick building will feature large fan-top windows. They will be replicated on all four sides of the steeple, which will be softly lit internally at night. A height variance is needed for the steeple, for which the church plans to apply in January, Thompson said. The steeple was withdrawn from the original application so as not to delay the project, she said. The entrance to the new facility will be at the rear, in the area of the bank’s ATM. The sanctuary on the main level will seat 81, with the sanctuary platform situated at the front of the building. The area previously occupied by Ackerman’s Music will become a reading room/library/study, accessed from a pocket garden in the front and featuring a bow-bay window in the rear overlooking another pocket garden. The lower level will be used for the Sunday School program. The building will be handicapped accessible with four ADA bathrooms and a limited use elevator. The traffic patterns on the site will remain unchanged, with ingress on the north side by the United Methodist Church and egress by the Sharp Shop. Parking for 36 vehicles will be provided. First Church of Christ, Scientist Services are now held at the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School in Ho-Ho-Kus from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Sundays and from 7:45 to 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. The Reading Room, now located at 40 Chestnut Street in Ridgewood, is open 11 to 3 daily except Sundays. It will be closed when the Midland Park facility is completed, Thompson said. The church bought the ¾-acre site at auction when the bank branch closed in August, 2009. The tenant, Ackerman’s Music Center, which has been at that location since the 1960s, has since moved to Wyckoff. The congregation had owned the church building at 305 Godwin Avenue near Lincoln Avenue in Ridgewood since 1964 but sold it in October, 2006 to the Church of God, a Korean congregation. Community Center open to residents Midland Park residents are reminded that the DePhillips Community Center is open year-round for recreational activities Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Activities include pickup basketball, volleyball, ping pong, air hockey, and board games are available for use. Once Upon A Time... Introducing our 2011 COMMUNION DRESS collection! Featured Event A Special Occasions Boutique Christie Helene Communion Dress Trunk Show Monday 12.27 thru Wed 12.29 A 10% discount will be given on dress purchases made during trunk show only Space is limited so call to schedule your appointment today! WINTER CLASSES • JAN 3 to APRIL 2, 2010 Tues, Wed, Thurs AM 9:30-12:00 Mon-Thurs PM 7:30-10:00 Saturday AM 10:00-12:30 13 Weeks, $390 Intermediate-Advanced: Mon AM $468 Wortendyke Pottery Studio ADULT CLASSES Monday - Friday PM 3:30-5:30 13 Weeks, $364 HOLIDAY GIFTS & CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE CHILDREN’S CLASSES 973-890-7077 onceuponatimestore.com 453 Main Street, Little Falls 201-652-5882 211 GREENWOOD AVE MIDLAND PARK www.wortendykestudio.com ���������������� ��������������������������� ����������������������������� 12-8-10 janine OnceUponATime3x3.5Color(12-8-10) 3 x 3.5 H ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� Family Hair Care ��������������������� ����������������������