Ted Reiff's blog

I was in New Haven recently, conducting a modified version of the TRP 14-day training workshop, "An Introduction to Deconstruction." On the weekend I discovered the salvager's ultimate residential treasure trove -- the Gillette Castle, named for its creator, William Gillette (1853-1937), the famous American actor, director and producer who brought Sherlock Holmes to life on the world stages.

Seventeen years ago, in June 1993, we began writing the business plan that launched The ReUse People. Part of our vision was a chain of salvage yards and warehouses from San Diego to Brownsville and then expanding north to the Canadian Border and east to the Atlantic. As most of you know, our expansion hasn't that systematic -- at least not geographically. However, the fact that it has happened at all is a tribute to our partner retail-warehouses, some of which I would like to recognize today.

With the second round of Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds now being distributed, cities have an opportunity to capitalize on both the long- and short-term benefits of the program. In addition to the rehabilitation of low-income housing, the funds can be used for demolition or, preferably, deconstruction.

Using NSP money for deconstruction has several immediate benefits:

The goals of the TRI two-day workshop are to promote community awareness of deconstruction and building-materials salvage and in the process to: 1) divert reusable building materials from landfills, and 2) generate jobs within the host community. We hope that as workshop participants (usually local businesspeople) interact, fresh ideas will emerge concerning how to establish deconstruction as a sensible alternative to demolition.