LOCAL BUILDERS vs OUT OF TOWN CONTRACTORS
| 2013 Summer | story by ANNE BROCKHOFF | photos by STEVEN HERTZOG |

Community_banks


Builders find strength in Lawrence’s foundation: people, partners and projects

Construction in Lawrence isn’t simply a matter of putting up high-quality buildings or designing energy-efficient homes or renovating century-old residences when it comes to generating success in a competitive industry.

It’s all of them and more.

Lawrence — with its educated population, diverse neighborhoods and longtime businesses and developers — continues to build upon its solid foundation through a combination of strong relationships, opportunistic risk-takers and long-term thinkers.

Those who endure do so with firm commitments and flexible approaches to the Lawrence market, its community and its future.

“Quite frankly, we bet our bankroll on it,” said Kevin Markley, who co-owns Mar Lan Construction LLC with Gale and Brian Lantis. “It’s where we wanted to be.”

Markley, whose company celebrated its 17th Founders Day on June 17, is among builders whose projects help shape the community, and so it makes sense to ask them and others in the industry about what makes Lawrence different.

Among characteristics making the list: committed players.

“Lawrence has a desirable number and its share of developers who are willing to invest in the community,” Markley says.

He remembers one such project early on: Downtown 2000, a partnership that combined private development with public participation to bring a parking garage and a four-story, mixed-use building to the 900 block of New Hampshire Street, where the Lawrence Arts Center would make its new home.
“The university is obviously the biggest dollar in town,” Markley says, of the University of Kansas. “But private developers are willing — and willing to stay hard-pressed — to be successful in Lawrence, and to do what’s right here, to see their investments embellish the area.”

Brandon Dahl, president of Dahl Construction Inc., loves that KU helps foster the diverse atmosphere that makes Lawrence such a fine place to live. Shopping, entertainment, activities and everything else supporting an excellent existence — early on and well into retirement — can be found in town, he says, where builders like himself work to meet market needs.

Community_banksDahl proudly calls his company “boutiquey,” handling jobs ranging from schools to grain elevators, screen doors and custom homes. Dahl added a library, offices, toddler rooms and two outdoor exploration areas — featuring custom-built play shelters, swingsets, walking bridges and tunnels — at Raintree Montessori School.

For residences he likes to incorporate zero-entry showers, electrical outlets on stairs and other aspects of “universal construction” that work well for young families as well as aging-in-place retirees.
And always with some welcome-to-Lawrence flair.

“We’ve built homes for people from 10 different countries,” he says, noting jobs for KU professors from South Korea, an IT professional from Russia working in Kansas City and a corporate executive from South Africa working in Topeka. “It’s always interesting to see what they bring to the table. The people we work with are a lot of fun. They’re a hoot. We enjoy it just as much as they do.”

Neal Ezell, president of Ezell-Morgan Construction, says that his company continues to build its success around loyal partners, satisfied customers and a strong community. The company traces its roots back to 1964, when his father started building homes and went on to partner with Bob Stephens in developing homes and businesses in western Lawrence.

Always high on the Ezell-Morgan list: quality, worthwhile upgrades and constant attention to detail.

“We’ve always had a niche in Lawrence,” Ezell says. “It’s a fortunate place to be.”

Today Ezell-Morgan’s focus includes producing energy-efficient homes, with upgrades designed to pay off through lower utility bills and improved comfort. Using raised-heel trusses, for example, allows for additional insulation, improved efficiency and fewer problems with ice during the winter.

All homes in Lawrence also benefit by being built in accordance with the latest in building codes, says Ezell, a member of the city’s Building Code Board of Appeals. The next version goes into effect July 1, ensuring Appeals additional attention to energy efficiency.
Lawrence residents long have been accustomed to benefitting from solid construction materials, designs and techniques, Ezell says. The community is both knowledgeable and demanding, especially with KU drawing and maintaining plenty of educated employees — a steady stream of buyers and sellers, many of whom come with particular interests in mind.

“That keeps Lawrence on the leading edge,” he says.

Mar Lan likewise appreciates the presence of KU. While the company started out with a lineup of private construction projects, such as the Wakarusa Crossroads shopping center at the southeast corner of Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive, much of the company’s work in recent years has involved KU. Projects have included work for the Lied Center, KU Libraries, KU Student Housing and the university’s transit service.

Community_banksThe firm works with local architects and local subs to turn clients’ visions — often started with scribbles on a napkin — into reality, whether it’s for the state’s flagship university or a lineup of local developers ready to build once again.

“As long as they continue to move forward and slowly trudge out of their tortoise shells, we’re here for them,” Markley says. “It’s people with local ties working together toward a common goal. I like to say many of our clients are repeat offenders: They come back for more.”

Dahl’s entire business, now 20 years old, is built entirely on referrals, ones sprouted from projects at KU and its surroundings. His early work renovating, updating and expanding fraternity and sorority houses near campus, including the Chi Omega house alongside the iconic Chi O Fountain, led to alumni associated with those houses contracting for more jobs at other schools and elsewhere: commercial, residential, remodeling, you name it.

People talk. Good word travels.

Connections endure.

“We work for people now more than the project,” Dahl says. “Blueprints are the project, but people are the fun. They’re what make the project.”

Ezell, 53, is familiar with the strength of personal connections. At age 13 he started framing homes for his dad in Prairie Meadows, just one of the many areas where residences built under the Ezell family name are now home to people Ezell grew up with, went to school with and continue to share a community with.

The work of Ezell’s dad, Johnny B. Ezell, even left such an impression that a street in western Lawrence — Easy Street — promises to carry on his nickname for generations.

“People called him ‘Easy Money,’ because everything he got into he had the Midas touch,” Ezell says of his dad, who died in 1991.

But the planned road signs also managed to touch a Lawrence nerve.

“There were some people who complained,” Ezell says. “They didn’t like the name of the street.”

A disgruntled few even made their way to City Hall to vent, but Stevens was there to explain his plans for the road serving a new stretch of homes north of Harvard Road, west of Monterey Way: Easy Street would be a fitting tribute for a fine man.

Concerns evaporated. Signs went up. And the rest is history — instructive even, in the Lawrence sense.

“Complaints? That’s good,” Ezell says now. “That’s what keeps us on our toes.”■

Share.

41 Comments

  1. Next time I read a blog, I hope that it won’t fail me just as much
    as this particular one. After all, I know it was my choice to read through, however I really believed you would probably
    have something useful to say. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something you
    could fix if you were not too busy seeking attention.

  2. After looking over a number of the blog posts on your site, I really like your technique of writing a blog. I saved it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Take a look at my website too and let me know your opinion.

  3. Everything is very open with a very clear clarification of the challenges. It was definitely informative. Your website is extremely helpful. Thank you for sharing.

  4. KONVERTIEREN YOUTUBE VIDEOS MIT ovc Online-Videokonverter im Internet Video-Konverter
    https://de.onlinevideoconverter.pro/youtube-converter-mp3
    OVC – ONLINE VIDEOCLIP DOWNLOADER
    Wir bieten eine Auswahl von nähert sich an transform und auch online Videoclips für den Offline-Zugriff.

    Sie können speichern Videos und auch Schauen Sie auf Ihrem mobilen Gerät oder Computer leicht, gerade während unterwegs!

    Nur das replizieren Videoclip oder GIF Weblinks von YouTube, Facebook, Twitter,
    Vimeo oder diverse andere Websites, und auch utilize unser kostenloses online Video-Konverter in transform ändere sie!

    WIE MAN ANPASSUNG YOUTUBE VIDEOCLIP ZU MP3 ONLINE?

    Ort die ein Link des Videoclip link Sie Wunsch zu
    replizieren
    Replizieren Sie den link des online Videoclip und fügen Sie es in die
    angegeben location nach begin den Konvertierungs-Prozess.

    Wählen Sie empfohlen layout zur Konvertierung
    Wählen gelegen unten aufgeführt die zugewiesen Standort.

    Laden Sie das herunter Videoclip, indem Sie auf „Herunterladen“
    klicken. Es ist voll!
    Konserviere die konvertierte MP4 oder MP3 Daten auf
    Ihren Computersystem oder Telefon herunterladen, indem Sie auf die Schaltfläche „Herunterladen“ klicken schalten.

  5. Interesting blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your design. Thank you

  6. Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 40 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  7. Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your website in internet explorer, would check this? IE still is the market leader and a large portion of people will miss your wonderful writing because of this problem.

  8. Aw, this was a really nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to make a great article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and don’t manage to get anything done.

  9. I absolutely love your blog.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you build this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m looking to create my very own site and would love to learn where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named. Cheers.

  10. Right here is the right webpage for anybody who would like to find out about this topic. You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a topic which has been written about for a long time. Excellent stuff, just wonderful.

  11. Aw, this was a very nice post. In concept I would like to put in writing like this additionally ? taking time and actual effort to make a very good article? however what can I say? I procrastinate alot and by no means appear to get one thing done.

  12. Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the internet the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people think about worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  13. Hi there, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam comments? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any support is very much appreciated.

  14. Hi, I do think this is an excellent blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will come back once again since i have bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.

  15. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to
    this fantastic blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for bookmarking
    and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward too new
    updates aand will share this site with my Facebook group.
    Talk soon!

    Also visit mmy web-site 카지노사이트

  16. fantastic points altogether, you simply received a brand new reader. What would you recommend about your submit that you just made some days ago? Any positive?

  17. Aw, this was a very nice post. In thought I would like to put in writing like this moreover ? taking time and precise effort to make an excellent article? but what can I say? I procrastinate alot and by no means appear to get one thing done.

  18. Thanks for helping me to achieve new ideas about pcs. I also have belief that one of the best ways to keep your laptop in excellent condition is to use a hard plastic material case, or shell, that matches over the top of the computer. A majority of these protective gear tend to be model distinct since they are made to fit perfectly across the natural outer shell. You can buy all of them directly from the owner, or from third party places if they are intended for your laptop computer, however not all laptop will have a cover on the market. All over again, thanks for your points.

  19. Hi, I do believe this is a great site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will come back once again since I saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.

  20. Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and never seem to get nearly anything done.

  21. I?d must test with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I get pleasure from reading a submit that will make individuals think. Additionally, thanks for allowing me to comment!

  22. I’m curious to find out what blog system you have been using? I’m having some minor security problems with my latest site and I’d like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any recommendations?

  23. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You clearly know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something informative to read?

Leave A Reply

Contact to Listing Owner

Captcha Code