Final Notes: CHILI'S

The electricians got the new lighting installed in the bar area. The blue lighting around the bar is now fully operational. Chili's remained open the entire time the building was being re-imaged. The seating area in the bar now accomates the handicapped easily. Before leaving I stained the bar tray holder and Woody installed under the bar lights to allow easy access for the wait staff.

Goodbye, Chili's Bar & Grill

We passed the final inspection. Currently, Woody is on a ladder painting a few places that needed to be finished. We will be picking up our certificate of completion before lunch and faxing all final papers to our PM, Ryan Elmer.

Michael Sawyers, PM, called today....and it is confirmed that our next project will be in Irving, TX!

So, we will finish here today and then go home after lunch and pack it up. We'll plan to do an overnight between here and TX. Then we should arrive to the Lubbock area on Wednesday! Then we'll make our way to Irving to begin our new project.

We want to thank the Chili's General Manager and his assisting managers for all their cooperation. And along with them, their staff that really gave us a home away from home throughout this project. We've met some great people.

Also, thanks to Dennis Blanford for the welding work on the canopies featured throughout our blog.

Welcome to Chili's Bar & Grill

We shouldn't have been surprised, but none the less we were. Friday didn't work out as smoothly as we hoped. We passed the electrical inspection yesterday! That left only three things: fire inspection, final inspection, and sign off on punch list. The first final inspection at 10am didn't go so well. They had four issues that would require the electricians, ADT, and the fire sprinkler company to make a few changes. Woody and I had to go eight miles to get a lock for the PIV. Eight miles, 8 miles, no big deal, right? Well, that turned out to be an adventure since we didn't know we had to go until 5pm. So the eight miles turned into an one hour and ten minute trip due to 5 o'clock rush hour traffic. But again TEAM WORK saved the day! All companies sent their guys over and by 7pm the fire marshal came out to inspect again. WE PASSED. The final inspection however was rescheduled for Monday morning. The electrician finshed all the remaining items on the punch list. So as soon as we pass our final inspection with the City on Monday the General Manager will sign off on the punch list. Tomorrow or Monday, Woody & I will need to install the bar tray holder at the bar and paint a couple of new electrical lines. At that point we will be able to leave Chili's knowing we've done a complete and excellent job. Project Excellence? We hope so. This is a new contract between Chili's and Parkway, so we'll have to see what the bottom line is on this one. For now we have to pay another week at the RV park and hopefully we will leave Tuesday morning.

Michael Sawyers called. Our next assignment is Irving, TX. We are doing a ground up McDonald's!

Last Days at Chli's ????

Today is busy. Electricians, fire sprinkler technicians, ADT, fire marshal, and final city of ABQ inspector!!!! Thank goodness for great organizational and scheduling skills! From the onset of driving onto the site, we've been busy. At the end of the day we are hoping to pass electrical, fire and final inspections. If all three pass then we get a final sign off on our punch list from Chili's General Manager.

What this all means, is not just turning over a building that is re-imaged. It means turning over a building that has been re-imaged by Parkway standards. This means 100% sign off on a punch list and the city giving us a certificate of completion.

This also means that leaving to our next destination is right around the corner. Our rent expires today for the RV site. If all goes as planned, we will pay another couple of days to get us through the weekend. That gives us the weekend to pack, rest and come to the restaurant another couple of times to be sure all is running and operating.

Michael Sawyers where are you sending us next? Ready or not we just may be headed your way. Hope you know of a place near the office to go get a good juicy thick steak. We wouldn't dream of being in town and not dining with you.

As we reach the end we can only hope our PM and Sr PM are satisfied with the work we've accomplished here. The photos tell the story. This Chili's Bar & Grill transformation has been a real learning experience.

(At the time of this post, we have passed our electrical inspection and have about 85% sign off on the punch list.)

Sunshines on Chili's 0419

So we are down to the last of it. The electricians are back to finish all the lighting, electrical and sign issues. They are determined to pass the electrical inspection that is now scheduled for Thursday. It's going to be a great day because #1 the sun is shining and #2 the electricians are on site with the sign company giving a full team effort in completing all necessary items. The painters were able to leave around lunch with their painting punch list signed off. The Chili pepper on the front will need to be removed, re-wired, and re-installed today. We've brought back a piece of equipment to insure the job can be safely completed. Meanwhile, here is another before and after to give you a glimpse of all that we've accomplished.

Chili's Dining Atmosphere

Next time you take a drive in Albuquerque make sure to drive by the Chili's on NW Coors Blvd. At night the building is illuminated by the rope lighting around the building. It's very colorful day or night. Upon entering the bright colors make the atmosphere light and easy. Here are some before and after pictures of the interior. As a whole the restaurant is really beautiful and we are glad to have had this experience. It's been a task to do this re-image without interfering in the daily operations of the business. The success is due in large to the great TEAM WORK and support.

Final Touches at Chili's

Woody made some adjustments, changes, touched up and just got right down to it with the final punch list. From carpentry, painting, electrical, and plumbing, he did a little of it all. Came in to find a leak in the building caused by some electrical work that took place over the weekend. So out goes Woody in the rain, up on the roof to repair the leak. Then it was time to install a couple of plate covers that were called to be replaced. The access door for the plumbing at beverage bar was also replaced. That's how the day started and continued. Manual labor must of wore him out because by evening time he was snoozing in the recliner. Those final touches do make a difference however. The day was cold and wet with rain off and on all day. It's snowing 30 miles north of Albuquerque. We're hoping for sunshine since the painters arrive tomorrow. Top pic shows the finished product. The close up is of Woody's carpentry skill installing a final touch. Last pic shows the product before final application.

Electricians Lighting Up CHILI'S

Electricians arrived yesterday to complete items to pass the electrical inspection. In addition five lights are needed to be added to the front canopy per plan. A variety of interior and exterior lighting issues will be addressed. Inspection is due on Monday. They say the third time is a charm. We're hoping for the best.

The landscaper has also arrived today to complete the landscaping and cleaning of the premises. He will be seeding areas of the lawn that are worn. With snow expected in the next couple of days, seeding may not help.

Pics: Notice the difference the exterior rope lighting makes.

Chili's Re-image 2008 Albuquerque, NM

Today, Ryan Elmer, PM, & Mr Creditt of Brinkers went through one final inspection of the Chili's to list any final detail items that need to be completed. The painters will need to come back out to touch up and make a few paint changes. The electricians will be coming back out to complete items that are incomplete and some electrical change orders. The landscapers are behind schedule but should be finished this weekend. Aside from that, Woody is going to finish a few other detailed items. All in all it was not so bad. The store overall looks FANTASTIC!!! But it's a Parkway project and good isn't good enough. So we'll spend another week here waiting for final City inspections and turning this into an EXCELLENT job.

Pic: Before & after of the hostess stand

Re-image at Chili's Nears Completion

This picture shows a view of the exterior with fresh paint and goose neck lights removed. The bottom picture shows the building before the re-image.

Today, we are working on completing the final items that were listed on the punch list. Ryan Elmer, the PM, and Brinkers will be here tomorrow to do what we hope will be the final walk through.

We have been blessed to work with a GREAT GM and Chili's managers at this location. It's been a real team effort. Today the electrician is here. And the electrical inspector just arrived. We are also waiting for the fire marshal. After that we can call for the final inspection. Thankfully, the sun is shining today and we are able to more easily finish outside work. The landscaper just arrived to finish his final items.

Albuquerque Mountain Snow

We took today off and headed out for our holiday. We finally got a chance to do some shopping at the Cottonwood Mall here in Albuquerque. Then we went up the mountain. It's been so cold and snow is on the mountain. HEY, MICHAEL SAWYERS....you'd be so proud of us, we finally used the 4 wheel option!!! WOW! The road was windy and curvy and covered with snow and ice.....IT WAS A BLAST. A jeep lost control and almost took out the driver's side fender. We ended our day with dinner at Furr's Buffet...Woody's favorite. Hope everyone enjoyed an exciting and joyous first day of the year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.......Welcome 2008

We'd like to thank all of you that have kept up with us through our website. This year has been a very blessed year for us. This is a pic of us at the Grand Canyon when we stopped by on the way back from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Santa Barbara, CA. We hope you will all be blessed and prosperous in the new year.

At Chili's we are progressing and should be checking out by the end of the week! Anyone in town should drive out to the Cottonwood Mall and take a look and the Chili's lit up at night.

LAST DAY OF 2007....HOT & SIZZLING AT CHILI'S

It's not just the food that's served up HOT at Chili's. This morning Woody is in a SIZZLIN' mood himself. It's the pressure of trying to get all the details complete in time for Ryan's arrival Wednesday. Woody missed yesterday's surprise inspection from Dave Dotter. Dave is the senior team member on this project. Woody is waiting for a visit from him now. Hoping to get any tips on other items that may need attention prior to Ryan's arrival.

The painters and electricians are on site now finishing up their final punch list items. The mini boxes were picked up early this morning. Labor-Redi is cleaning the grounds and other final construction clean items. Woody called the glass company about the trim missing and they are scheduled to install this morning.

Chili's opens at 11:o0am, so from right now we have 45 minutes to complete interior work if the painters and electricians want to be home before the new year.

CHILI'S Molten Cake....It's great! Re-image continues

Ryan Elmer, Parkway Project Manager, should arrive Wednesday to do a inspection. Then the Brinkers PM should do the final walk on Thursday. The painters and electricians worked today to try to finish all loose ends. Tomorrow is new year's eve and again all sub contractors are ready to head home for the holiday. But this group is really ready to tie this project up. So the painters and electricians will hold over to tomorrow to do a walk with Woody to make sure everything is complete. That will leave us the first part of the week to complete carpentry work and clean up. Wednesday we should be able to do the electrical inspection and Thursday a final inspection.

CHILI'S BBQ RIBS & MARGARITAS

Chili's has remained open everyday of construction. They serve the best corn on the cob. And now the people of Albuquerque and visitors to the area can enjoy the good food in a great environment. The atmosphere is exciting and refreshing. All the new decor, fresh paint, and new light fixtures have really come together. The painters worked on exterior paint, including the front canopy. The roofers are finising up the front canopy as well. A great detail completion is the the rope lighting not only at the bar but also on the exterior of the building. The Chili's crew & management have been great to work with through this process. The landscapers have been working on the flagstone and the metal planters. All in all, we should be done and out of here in a week. Top pic: Re-imaged To Go Entrance Bottom Pic: Original To Go Entrance

Brinkers & Ryan Inspect Chili's

Woody had to be at work at 7am today. He probably came in at 1 or 2 last night. But it's a big day with the inspection. (I had to bail since I woke up with a fever. The cold weather is taking it's toll on me.) It turned out to be a day where not much went right. Of course on a positive note the crews did show up to work. Tonight the tile guys should return to town to finish all tile work. The painters, electricians, stone mason, roofers, landscapers were all at work this morning. The welder was able to deliver the brackets needed for the front canopy! The sign co installed the margarita sign at the bar. Labor-Redi crew prepared the miniboxes for pick up tomorrow. Finally Woody came in tonight about 6pm to eat dinner and nap before returning to work tonight at 10pm. The punch list was delivered from today's inspection. Looks like we'll be enjoying Albuquerque, NM another week.

Back to Chili's

Well, so much for the rest we got....the crews are slowly reporting back. We've managed to pick up a couple of extra people to help with the work that's left to do. We had two people show up from Labor-Redi. They were EXCELLENT. They managed to get all the back cleaned up. Ryan Elmer, PM, showed up for his visit today. We walked the site and tried to address issues that may come up when we have another Brinker inspection tomorrow. The electricians have scheduled the electrical inspection for tomorrow. Painters, welder, stone mason, roofers, landscapers and electrician all made it back to continue the work. It's extremely cold. We started work at 7am today and it was 7pm before we were able to leave for a few hours. I came home and Woody returned at 10pm to meet the night crew. It's been a long day but the end must be near.

Merry Christmas!!!

It may snow today. But snow or no snow, Baby, it's cold outside. It's so good to rest. We hope you are all enjoying a happy holiday with friends or family. We are going to go to Furr's for our Christmas dinner and then possibly enjoy a movie. Tomorrow, it's back to work at Chili's.

Pic: Chili Pepper in flight. This guy hung around about a week waiting for his plane. Now he is flying over the dining area.

Christmas Eve & Chili's is Open

Chili's was open today. All construction crews are now gone for the holidays. Woody & I came and clean up some of the construction debris and moved all the equipment out of the way. Aside from that we took the day off. The most exciting thing of all is that we finally get to sleep tonight and sleep in tomorrow.

Chili's in December...Margarita Bar is OPEN

The month is almost over. We've been here about 20 days. Today only the electrician is working for a while then departing for Arizona for the holidays. The Chili's crew is really excited that the work is almost finished. It's interesting to see the customers come in and comment positively about all the changes. In these last days the work being completed is more visible. It's interesting to see how everyone is so excited about all of it. I think we've eaten everything on the menu in these twenty days. With just one worker on site we finally had a short day at work.

PIC: Check out the cool new swivel barstools & stainless steel glass rack! NICE!