For the past four weeks, we’ve been working in a construction zone.

Endless beeps and bangs from equipment and tools have been as much music to our ears as distractions, and by the time this hits print, it could be all over.

Those who keep tabs on our building restoration efforts know it’s been a challenge. A front office remodel last spring had to be totally redone following the May 2024 windstorm, and after having to cough up a bit extra for the new roof, we were unsure how we’d be able to move forward with any additional work.

Enter the Cassville Community Foundation’s Downtown Restoration Fund, whose backer reached out to us last August with a goal of drumming up attention to the new opportunity.

With limited interest — possibly because the fund is so new — we began talking about all we’d like to do with the building. As unfortunate as the May storm was for us, our partnership with the Community Foundation has been exceptionally fortunate.

At the end of May, facade restoration efforts really kicked into high gear. With the old tin removed late last year, we had sprung a couple leaks in the front of the building, and for a while, had tarps in place to keep the water out. Maybe the front just had to look its worst before becoming its best.

First on the project timeline was power washing and waterproofing, which produced a bit of buzz around town. Having a project manager and the Restoration Fund backer hammering out the ins and outs, we were just as surprised as everyone else when our building was coated in Robin’s egg blue.

I lost count of how many times someone would say, “The building is looking really good,” only for me to respond, “Thanks, but it won’t look that way for long.”

Others have hinted at me the Robin’s egg blue was getting mixed reviews, and if we had actually picked that color, I would completely agree.

Alas, the layer of blue was waterproofing material, all ultimately covered up by EFIS and split brick, the last of which is going on the building as I type this column.

Throughout the process, there have been a few impressive moments. Crews for Carl Schell Construction and Kent Greenwood Plastering have been incredible. There’s two things you can count on from the group of men and women we’ve seen on the lifts every day: one, they work really hard and are really precise; and two, they don’t miss a second of their break time.

The most interesting part, to me anyway, was when they began laying the brick. Since it’s split brick, it’s not stacked. Each piece has to be placed precisely, appearing as if it’s stacked when it’s not.

Watching crews painstakingly line the facade, carefully stick the brick to the wall and fill out the areas in between for a finished look — it was like watching a live art installation.

We also tagged on a late change order to facilitate the future of the building as a whole. With the facade now complete, a new roof and new floors throughout the main office, we are turning our attention to square feet being wasted.

With our staff of three, we have more than enough room already. Nearly a third of the whole first floor just sits empty or is used for storage. So, we plan to split off that section of the building (the side closest to Sixth Street), for another commercial space. We are still determining what that will look like, but providing office space or a new business is something we are very excited to have the opportunity to get done.

Once that plan is realized, the final step is the second floor. Run down and resembling a spook house for the past 60 years, we hope within the next few years to breathe new life into the place. Again, we’re still determining what that will look like, but getting it done has never seemed more attainable that it feels now. We’re going for a snowball effect in that regard.

When I moved to Cassville 11 years ago, I did not see myself in this position — owning not only the paper, but also the building — and my wife and Co-Owner Jordan and I could not be more proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in just two-and-half years into this journey.

Since our work has been going on, we’ve had a couple more people reach out asking how to get involved with the Restoration Fund. To anyone else who is interested, my door is always open.

It will take time, but restorations of other downtown buildings will only improve the look and feel of our historic Courthouse square.

We’re humbled to be a small part of that and hope bigger still awaits.

Kyle Troutman has served as editor of the Cassville Democrat since 2014 and owner/publisher since 2023. He was named William E. James/Missouri Outstanding Young Journalist for daily newspapers in 2017, and he is a two-time ISWNE Golden Dozen award winner. He may be reached at 417-847 2610 or ktroutman@cassville- democrat.com.