This Post if from Friday, May 13...we just took a little while to post it
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It was a very big day.
In all, we passed our Pre-Construction conference, failed on our construction financing (temporarily), but without batting an eye hosted a Groundbreaking Ceremony on the site with friends and family.
(1) Pre-Construction Conference
After longer than we care to think about, we finally have permission to put equipment on our property and get to work. At 1:00pm this afternoon, Roger Moore (City of Seattle), Mark McGinnis (Geotech Consulants), and all of us (Julie, John, Albert, Lori and Larry), met on the property for the last hurdle prior to construction: The Pre-Construction Conference.
When we picked up the permit last week, we were notified of the numerous inspections that would be held at various intervals through the project. These include inspections of the foundation, drainage, etc. The first of these inspections is the Pre-Construction Conference.
At the meeting, Roger reviewed the plans in detail, and especially those spots he thought would be of concern. Although he didn't walk the property with us, he was quick to point out the major concern areas (temporary erosion control measures, and pin piles to name a few), and be sure we understood the process.
Our biggest gift was the fact that Roger did not require us to build the entirety of the silt fences by hand (see the picture below for an example of a silt fence). By allowing us to first build access into the property before constructing the silt fences, we'll be able to use Albert's equipment to dig the ditches for the silt fences. Otherwise, we would have been digging by hand through roots for hundreds of feet.
The conference went very smoothly, and Roger effectively deputized Marc McGinnes as the private Sheriff of the project. Keep Marc happy, and Roger will be happy, he effectively told us. Marc is a very reasonable and helpful man, so we're pleased to have him working with us.
(2) Construction Financing Delayed
This one we feel really bad about. Bridget Larsen, our banker at Coastal Community Bank, has been so kind to meet us on site in West Seattle twice now, driving down from Everett. Today was supposed to mark the signing of our loan documents and another major hurdle completed.
Turns out we forgot about a key component of the documentation. To be honest, it was everyone's fault. We just flat missed it, but we missed it nonetheless.
It isn't a problem of any kind, and it won't prevent us from proceeding, but we just have to go back and have Bridget re-draw some of the documents. So...next week.
Thankfully, though, we don't need to make any draws in the first part of the construction process. Albert has everything we need to get started, so as soon as he's ready to get onto the property, we can get started, and we can sign the documents next week.
(3) Groundbreaking Party
Despite the fact that it wasn't going to set us back at all, we were still all pretty frustrated with the financing issue. As a result, we hustled to the liquor store (at this point, it's about 4pm), and grabbed a nice bottle of cheap whiskey to hold us over (I mean, delicious whiskey, Albert). After a drink, we all calmed down and got ready for the party.
Albert helped me pick up my BBQ (which has been in use at Tony and John Boyle's apartment for the last year), and haul it up onto the property. Lori and Julie went to the store to pick up some food and drinks, and we all met back on the property to get set up.
Many friends and family arrived between 6-6:30pm for our ceremony. With a huge smile on her face, Julie turned over a pile of dirt with a new ceremonial shovel provided by Albert. Champagne bubbles flowed as we celebrated the biggest accomplishment of our project to date: turning the soil of Mt. Pobre.
Thanks to everyone who was able to join us on site. We were so pleased to celebrate with you, and look forward to many more celebrations soon!
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