Moving Daze

Then the fun began. With less than two months to move we were faced with the challenge of maintaining our workload, which happened to be the most intense in our history. Anyone who has experienced building a home or office building or finishing tenant space is well aware of the plethora of things to coordinate and the defense one plays warding off errors.

We knew the day would come. The new owners of the office building Ingram's had occupied office space for nearly two decades delivered the letter to vacate in 60 days. This didn't entirely come as a shock as the lease had lapsed. We knew it was just a matter of time before we had to move.

For the best part of the past year we toured buildings of various shapes, sizes and condition looking for the right fit for us. Since there are so few small single tenant buildings (our preference) in greater Downtown KC (our preference again), we had a tough time finding what we wanted, especially given the surge in demand in this area. We also learned that most available properties were un-maintained dumps with the need of extensive renovation. Fortunately we found a building in the Freight House District, a relatively clean white shell that fit our needs in an area well suited to our operation.

Then the fun began. With less than two months to move we were faced with the challenge of maintaining our workload, which happened to be the most intense in our history. This included producing our plans for the coming year as well as three monthly magazines and two special editions in the time we typically produce two magazines.

Secondly, we had to configure the new offices and allow the time for furnishings to be manufactured, delivered and installed. Third, we had to hire an architect to refine plans and navigate city codes. Fourth, we hired a contractor to manage the project and coordinate the subs. We were lucky here to have plenty of resources in the construction industry, and we assembled a terrific design/build team under the supervision of our friends at McCownGordon Construction. Fifth, and most frustrating of all, we had to make all these runs from old building to new around and through the slap-happy ticketing of the KCMO police. Is the city that intent on scaring every one away from Downtown? This subject deserves a follow up--please forward any less than comfortable experiences you've encountered.

Anyone who has experienced building a home or office building or finishing tenant space is well aware of the plethora of things to coordinate and the defense one plays warding off errors. Given the circumstances and ridiculously short time frame, I think all would agree our team did a great job, and we were delivered the space on time.

While the furnishings were being produced and the construction dust was flying, we spent every bit of ten intense weeks digging out of an office that was more settled into than a worn-out carpet. Given the industry we're in and the fact that we've processed several pallets of magazines in our offices each month for two decades, we were astonished at the ‘pack-ratting' that had occurred. If there is a silver lining to this cloud, though we've experienced a liberating house cleaning, we will soon be settled and ready to knock ‘em dead to conclude our 30th year and be focused on the future.

If folks tend to think of Ingram's as Kansas City's premier business publication, Batliner Paper got to know us recently as the premier paper recycler. And no, it wasn't all just old parking tickets.

Editor-In-Chief & Publisher JSweeney@IngramsOnLine.com