The Walls Came Tumbling Down

1811 Walnut will never be the same.

We picked up the keys this past Thursday and tomorrow demolition begins. We got a head start this evening though. We invited our families, our closest friends and all those people who have been working along side us to make this building dream of ours a reality to join us at the building. Then we gave them sledge hammers. Golden sledge hammers to be exact. And boys being boys (and girls being girls it turns out), walls came tumbling down. Well, they didn’t actually tumble, but there were a few gaping holes.

We had help from some little people as well. My niece and nephew Chloe’ and Garrett, and my friend Michelle’s son Tanner took turns at the wall with a golden hammer. They made surprising progress.

We billed it a demolition party but really we just wanted to give every one a chance to see the “before.” The after becomes so much more meaningful when you can see where it all began.

It was also a thank you. We have been so lucky to work with such an amazing team of people. A quick shout out to:

Suzie Aron –Nicholson Real Estate - our realtor
Elizabeth Rosin – Rosin Historic Preservation – our historic buildings consultant
Jay Tomlison, Brad Kingsley, Joe Jimenez – Helix – our architects
Brett Gordon & Tab White – McCown Gordon – our contractors
Mark Westerfelt – our owners rep
Bob Long – Economic Development Corp - our tax abatement consultant
Mike Marsh – CPA – our historic tax credits accountant
Kathy Hauser – Lathrop & Gage - our attorney
John Geiger – United Bank of Kansas – our banker
David Long – Heartland Business Capital – our other banker
Mark Lowe – Contract Furnishings - our furniture contractor
Kathy Luetkenhoelter – our bookkeeper & business manager

We could not have gotten this far without the talent and generosity of these amazing folks!

So it all begins tomorrow and if it goes as planned the shootin’ match should be over by June 1st. I am not holding my breath. I’ve yet to be involved in a construction project that finished on time although we’d like to be the first. Still, a lot will be happening at 1811 Walnut over the next 3 months. And soon, Meers Marketing will have a new home.

Hold onto your hats! We’re off!