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January 31, 2008
Getting Started
Monday was an exciting morning… I arrived at the hotel to find the
BBQ smoker from the kitchen smack in the middle of the lobby! We
sold it on EBay, and at last, it’s out of here! Ah…progress!
As I proceeded with my morning walk through, every step bought new
enthusiasm, and each day this week it has gained momentum! I joined
the hotel as GM on February 15, 2007; the projected capital investment
at the time was $9 million and scheduled to start July 15, 2007. It
was encouraging when two months later, the model room was completed
(which are the photographs on our website). Not only did we have a
vision for the future, but we also had a tangible product to show
the public. As we approached July, some issues arose and the project
was pushed to a September start date. As we moved closer to
September, the project was pushed to November, but increased to $12.5
million. As we made our way through a very hectic September, the project
was delayed to mid-December… are you feeling our pain yet?
The team was frustrated but understood it was just one of those things
that happens with multi-million dollar projects: T’s must be crossed
and I’s must be dotted before a major investment like this is made. Then
city permitting issues arose around Thanksgiving – of course! The
decision was made that whenever we received the permit from the city, we
would close the entire hotel instead of the original plan to remaining
open during construction – a much wiser decision in the end.
As we turned the calendar to December, then to January and the budget rose
to $14 million, we wondered if we would ever get started! On January 3, 2008, our
spirits were rekindled when we received a ‘Permit at Risk’ from the
city, authorizing the start of our re-invention! The hotel closed on
January 14, 2008, for the first time since opening its doors in 1891, and
the wait – to start - was finally over!
Imagine our excitement as we enter room after room and see piles of rubble
from walls being knocked down. There is something really picturesque about
outdated wall paper stripped from the wall and worn out carpet ripped off
the floor. And boy does the natural beauty of bare floor boards and wood
beams really get our juices flowing!
Included are some pictures, which will continue to update so you can share in our eager anticipation!
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