Today we went in to do some more demolition on the room that is in the back of 236 Ouachita. Yesterday we had what felt like a major victory. Zac went down to the city office to talk to the permit people, and they liked the drawings he had made for the floor plan, and gave him a permit to replace the floor. The first try with graph paper and a ruler, and we were in! Now is the hard work. Put down that pencil, pick up that hammer. It is truly unreal how much wood we are talking about moving in the next few weeks.
Finding the back end of the big bay was really interesting. It opens up that corner, and we found three giant window frames, which is something I understand how to fill. I suppose we could always go back to the 1920’s design and  do the grand arched window in the back, but that sounds expensive.
Yesterday a guy came out to give us a ballpark figure on a sprinkler system. We thought that sounded a little far fetched and practical, like the kind of thing we wouldn’t really need, but would be a good idea, but after talking to all the pros, we realize we might have to have a sprinkler system in. Especially if we ever want to do anything public in these buildings.
We have gone round and round on these topics: digging up the sidewalk to bring the power in through the floor and get it off the front of the building. Concrete vs. wood floor in the big bay. Sprinkler system? Plumbing for a future apartment. Why would we want an apartment in there? HVAC in the floor. Gas lines in the floor. Pest control while the floor is open. Knock the bathroom out? Expand the bathroom? Shower? What will the facade look like in the future? Any grant money for these things? Historical? Will the wall cave in? How will we finish the wood floor with a ceiling that rains paint chips anytime anyone makes a bump!? Plaster wall, must it come down now to expose the brick? Or will that take forever? I want that done! Obviously not as important as getting the plumbing fixed so the building stops taking water from the back, and we can flush the toilet.
AND I found the feral animal that was living in the building, shitting everywhere. I thought it would be a possum or something a little more natively wild, but it turns out it is a black cat. And tonight the trap is out with Kings Choice catfood waiting in the end. I assume a cat that has been living on dust and mortar and termites for who knows how long would like a good feed. Tomorrow he will enjoy the relocation program I am planning. A visit to some unknown destination. We’ll see if the pound is open.
I can’t figure out how to make this picture upright on this old computer, but this is our general environment these days.
