Called the architect today, hurray!

I took a deep breath today, mustered all my courage, and finally phoned Frank Anderson of SLL/Leo A. Daly, the architect of the ice palace that will be built this winter. I was quite nervous, but he was very gracious, and agreed that he would be willing to meet with me. They are in the middle of a project right now that is time-intensive, and he wanted to "clean some stuff up," and so I am to call him in a week, and we'll set something up.

I said that I also hoped to visit the ice palace site as it goes up, and he explained that I needed the permission of the contractor, Kraus Anderson Construction Company, and their client, the St. Paul Festival and Heritage Association. I already have the name of the contact at the St. Paul Association--we've been exchanging voice mail messages--so I will try contacting her and seeing if I can obtain that all-important permission. I also got the red-letter dates. If weather permits, ice-cutting will begin at Lake Phalen on December 8, and building on December 15. The Pre-opening party will be January 21, and the ice palace will be open to the public on January 22, and will be open for three weeks. Demolition will begin February 8, and will be expected to take a week. And, unlike the last two ice palaces, the public will be allowed to walk through this one.

Everyone cross their fingers and hope for cold weather!

Cheers,
Peg