Andy helps Lauren move our Debra Beers sculpture from the front window of the Personalist Center - the sculpture is now in the cafe.  I think he likes you, big guy!

Bobby shows the sheetrock who’s the boss

April: the SJM crew readies the new Loft for action!

Johnny and James don’t take no guff when they strut their stuff.

Stewart muds the ceiling in the PC loft .. .

. . . while James muds the newly remodeled cafe loft.  That is, when this country boy’s not busy catching baby birds that wander into the PC and try to hide in the cabinets!

The next Village People member, James.

The cafe loft floor gets a makeover, seen here in the pre-sanding stage.  Hard to believe it’s recycled gymnasium flooring!

We counted at least 11 layers of paint on the front door of the PC - what history!

Kate and PC architect Christine check out the new cafe loft

Too cute . . .

Michael carefully replicates the existing trim in the PC to go all around the room.  It’s this kind of detailed, custom work that sets the PC apart from many other remodels.

The new PC loft floor, isn’t it lovely!

Pictures are in chronological order and will be updated about once a week.

Renovation began in February with the demolition of interior walls:

Andy and Bobby take time out from demolition to mug for the camera

After demolition, Dan readies for the next phase - building the loft above the back door

In March, electrician John Kelso (below) donates his time diving into the wire-morass in the loft ceiling.  The cafe loft and the new Personalist Center loft will connect when the renovation is complete:

By April 4, the crew has framed the new loft that will connect to the cafe loft and provide office space for the Systemic Change staff and the Civic Action Group!  Under the loft will be a nice meeting room for Sisters.

Patrick waves from below the new loft, Dan above.

Our lovely new loft stairs

James, Dan and Bobby take a break to mug for the camera. Industrious Johnny attacks the old lath and plaster wall with a vengeance, making way for a new door to the cafe loft.

April 16, the crew punches a giant hole in the wall between the PC and the cafe where the future doorway will be!

The cafe wall before the work begins; it housed our info and referral board.

Man, that was fun!  On to other advances, framing continues with a lot of custom building to work around all the PC’s tight corners and unique spaces.  The crew is undaunted, or at least in high spirits

The boys practice their YMCA moves in the loft

HVAC-o-rama!

In late April, the drywall begins to go up.  Ah, drywall wrangling.  Everybody shake your gypsum!

Watch those bright eyes, Bobby

James TCB.  Thankyouverymuch.

The wall of recycled windows from the Rebuilding Center begins to go in . . . how exciting!

April 25, and the window wall is finished, yeah!

Kate at the new door between the cafe and PC lofts.

May Day (May 1), testing paint colors

Paint test around the new window between the PC and the cafe

May 5, spraying paint and re-doing floors

James gets ready to rumba, I mean paint

Cool!

May 10, and the cafe loft floors are now polished to a beautiful luster.  Big thanks to historic building conservator Ron Powell, and Rusty and crew for really making it something special.

Mmmmmm, shiny!

May 14, and the paint is rollin’ and rockin’

The adorable and all-powerful Rusty rolls it out!

May 23, and doesn’t the paint and trim look great!  Michael starts the big job of building the custom cabinets that will be tailored to our mail, hygiene, phone service etc.  What a labor of love.