The K9 Corridors 13,000 sq ft facility (TKC) is poised to become: the first facility of its kind in the city of Chicago. A coworking incubator space created to serve not just dogs, but the people who love them. A vibrant hub where dogs of all ages, breeds, sizes, and temperaments can access nearly every service imaginable for their health, happiness and wellbeing.

Picture two warm indoor dog pools with group and individual swim sessions designed for fun, therapy, or training. Dock diving, Flyball, Nose work, Agility, Canine massage, Grooming, Retail, enrichment and Event spaces for educational seminars and community adoption meetups. All under one Woof, all surrounded and driven by professionals who share one goal: to give dogs the best life possible.

For dogs, this means longer, healthier, more fulfilling lives. For people, it means reliable access to a community of experts dedicated to providing gold-standard pet care, conveniently located and working in harmony. For the city of Chicago & all those around it, it means a new kind of community resource. One that supports families, promotes wellness, encourages education, and raises the bar for what’s possible in pet care. This facility is for both friendly dogs and those with special challenges.

This isn’t just a project. It’s a movement. But without help, it might not make it.

How We Got Here

This was supposed to be a one-year buildout. It’s now in year two, buried under delays, debt, and disappointment but we are not giving up without a fight.

We did our homework. We vetted contractors. We reviewed credentials. We moved cautiously. But contracting is one of those worlds where even with due diligence, you sometimes don’t know what you’re dealing with until you’re already waist-deep.

We were sold a dream by someone who claimed to be a licensed architect but turned out he was a draftsman using another architects license.That alone cost us six months and thousands of dollars.

After filing a report with the city and attorney general we started over. The next architect had credentials but delivered unusable plans. His designs didn’t match real-world conditions. Existing Electrical and plumbing were inaccurate on our final drawings and elevations were wrong. Per several contractors that came out to bid on the project none of it could be built as drawn or could be built without excessive costs.

Eventually, we landed an incredible general contractor who brought fresh hope and lots of savings because of a nearby project he was already working on. But even he couldn’t withstand the red tape, frustrating architect missteps, and SBA contruction loan protocols so he walked away.

Next came a contractor who seemed like the safe option although he came with the pricetag of $140k GC fee. He initially was on the site daily but after several months seemed to bite off more than he could chew. He failed to meet deadlines failed to give timelines and to add insult to injury he put his young son in charge so he could learn. He went silent for over six months despite being paid 55k in early grant money. The new GC failed to meet standard construction protocols. With mismanagement of the project what should’ve been predictable became chaos.

The additional Costs

• $115,000 for a commercial-grade elevator (a city requirement)

• $112,000 in required dehumidification systems (the architect designed it not knowing how costly the units were)

• $30,000 in electrical service upgrades (the architect did not correct voltage with engineer)

• $11,000 in legal fees just to appeal a property tax jump from $38,000 to $86,000

• $3,000 in SBA loan modifications

• Over $60,000 in equity cash injections

Thousands in equipment and material damage from a non-secure worksite, fees for an administrative adjustment and of course keeping up with the rising monthly mortgage on a facility that can’t generate revenue yet has been a real hardship.

This facility was supposed to be open already helping dogs live thier best life. Small business vendors should be networking and growing their client base with thier 1st brick and mortar, and the citys youth and community being able to come intern and learn the many areas in which they can have a career working with dogs.

The dream is at stake. I've been quietly footing the bill to keep The K9 Corridor afloat, by leveraging our small daycare business stretching my patient staff, payroll, and resources to do so. It can’t last much longer.

Multiple pet care vendors have been waiting patiently, some for over a year, to launch their services within this space. These are people who are ready to enrich your dog’s life and who have made personal sacrifices to be part of this mission. But even the most dedicated professionals can only wait so long without a clear path forward.

Behind all of this is the emotional cost. Time, energy, health, savings, and family stability have all been poured into this project. This projects needs your help. I am not one to ask for help (i'm a figure it out and find a way type of gal) but i too NEED your HELP.

We Still Believe

Despite everything, the setbacks, the bad luck, and the missed deadlines, we still believe in The K9 Corridor.

We believe it’s going to change lives, not just for dogs but for the people who care for them. We believe in its purpose. We believe in its potential. We believe in Chicago’s need for a place like this and the need to teach this profession to as many people who have interest but no know how.

We are nearly 80 percent complete. With just a little more support, we can finish what we started.

We’re asking for donations from those who believe in animal wellness, in small business, and in community impact. Every contribution, whether $1 or $10,000, helps us reach the finish line. It pays the electric upgrade, It seals leaks, It gets final inspections, but most of all it brings this dream to life.

If we can’t raise the remaining funds it would be another devastating blow with all that is already invested. The K9 Corridor can't fail before it ever opens its doors. Dozens of professionals would lose their opportunity. Hundreds of dogs would miss out on services they desperately need. The community will lose out on the opportunity to break into and elevate the pet care industry, and the city of Chicago could lose a truly unique, community-minded, animal-centered wellness space before it ever gets the chance to thrive. But that won’t happen if we come together.

Please consider donating and please share our story to help us bring this space to life for the dogs, for the people who serve them, and for the city that deserves a place like this.

Thank you with all my heart for reading my story and struggle.

Every donation gets a Chicago Flag bandana (be sure to leave your info)