The Kansas City Star March 13, 2007
By Bill Graham and Jason Noble

TV teardown begins today

A family of 12 will find their cramped Northland house swept away by good will and replaced by a dream home when they return from an expense-paid Florida vacation.
Jesus and Michelle Jacobo are deserving recipients, friends and neighbors say, for the surprise that awaits them Sunday under the auspices of ABC’s reality show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

Up to a billion people around the world in 69 countries could be watching them celebrate, too, on a show scheduled to be broadcast on May 13, said Diane Korman, senior producer for the show.

The Jacobos found out Sunday morning when the television celebrities shouted, “Good morning, Jacobo family” outside the front door of their Kansas City, North, home.

They “were obviously very overwhelmed, it was very emotional,” said Kevin Green, a Parkville homebuilder who is coordinating the construction.

Area contractors will converge today at 4132 N. Spruce Ave. to yank down the old 912-square-foot house and pour a concrete foundation for the new one, Green said.

No more will the Jacobos sleep in an unheated garage, the children sleep in hallways or a flood-prone basement or will Michelle’s father sleep on a living room floor despite his bad hip.

Using donated labor and materials, the construction team expects to complete a deluxe new house before they return Sunday from the vacation provided by the show. They’ll find a home with a basement and two upper levels.

“It’s going to be a heck of a house,” Green said. “We made it a 1920’s style. It’s obviously much bigger. At the end of the week, they’re going to be very lucky people.”

Besides the home makeover, the show will donate new playground equipment in nearby Winnwood Park. Also, Missouri Western State University is offering the children free tuition, room and board.

The Jacobos have four children. They also care for five nieces and nephews and Michelle’s father. Officials with the television show said the family was in Florida on Monday and not available for comment.

Jesus, 39 works long hours building cranes, according to Candace Koehler, a local spokeswoman for the project. Michelle, 38, is a housewife.

Because of the house’s rundown condition, the Jacobos were in danger of losing custody of their nieces and nephews, Koehler said.

But the family is beloved, said Sara Cocolis, principal at Winnwood Elementary, which three of the children attend.

“Everyone here is walking on cloud nine because it couldn’t have happened to a better family,” Cocolis said. “The children always do the right thing, and they’re really sweet.”

The older children attend Winnetonka High School and Eastgate Middle School.

The Jacobos’ children told Winnwood teachers and students last week that they might find out Sunday whether they were going to be on the program, Cocolis said.

“We didn’t want to get our hopes up for them,” she said. “This is a dream come true.”

Nieces Natalie McMahan, 18, and Brittany McMahan, 16, are both stellar students at Winnetonka, said Assistant Principal Allison Murphy-Pope.

“Both girls are awesome,” Murphy-Pope said. “They’re friendly and compassionate, and both reflect the values in that family.”

Neighbors on Monday had nothing but good feelings for the Jacobo family and the project.

“If you need something, they’re right there to help you,” said Tammy Cihak, who lives across the street.

Cihak learned that the Jacobo family was selected for the show last week, when producers asked permission to set up shop in her driveway and front yard. But she couldn’t say anything, which make things awkward later when she saw one of the children.

“I wanted to tell her so bad, but I just couldn’t do it,” she said.

Cheryl Hatton now has a spectator corral in her yard. And that’s fine with her.

“The meaning behind this means a lot more than any inconvenience,” Hatton said.

Mark and Theresa Laity of Gladstone watched from across the street as workers prepared for demolition.

“I didn’t realize how much work it is before they tear down a house,” said Theresa Laity. “It’s totally different than what you see on TV.”