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The ReUse People - October 2008 NEWSLETTER
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| A Pointless Pilot |
| By Ted Reiff |
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Deconstruction received significant coverage in the September 26, 2008 edition of The New York Times Magazine. If you didn't read, "This Old Recyclable House," which details at considerable length a pilot deconstruction project in Cleveland, Ohio (where, incidentally, I was born and raised), here is a link to the article: www.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/magazine/28house-t.html
A lot of industry people, including myself, are disappointed with the article, particularly its overall tone and the magazine's decision to chronicle a pilot project in a blighted neighborhood with numerous conditions operating against it. Pilot projects, by definition, are supposed to test the need for, or viability of, something. They are largely a waste of time in the deconstruction industry. We've got hundreds of professionals deconstructing thousands of buildings every year, including single family residences and commercial buildings. That's a lot of salvaged materials. Why would someone propose another pilot project?
To its credit, the article points out how deconstruction may help to alleviate various problems posed by abandoned housing stock. It also examines numerous issues faced by the deconstruction industry. What troubles me is that these problems are self-induced by well-meaning industry insiders. Factors include:
- A lack of understanding regarding how economic forces intersect with environmental policies and decisions,
- A need to educate the public, neighborhood groups and politicians on the benefits of deconstruction and building-materials salvage, and
- The need for well designed training programs that stress not only the how, but also the why, where, when and who.
Unfortunately, the author of the Times article does not appear to have thoroughly researched deconstruction, building materials salvage, and existing reuse markets in the U.S. and abroad. In the U.S. alone, hundreds of organizations and thousands of people are involved in many aspects of this business, from deconstruction, to selling and distributing reusable building materials, to actual reuse. And I'm pretty sure the article doesn't mention the excellent book, UNBUILDING (The Taunton Press, 2007), coauthored by the pilot project's manager, Brad Guy, along with Bob Falk of the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory. UNBUILDING describes in detail the best practices in deconstruction from east coast to west.
Almost two years ago I was invited to Cleveland by a local Community Development Organization whose sphere of influence included hundreds of abandoned buildings constructed in the early 20th century. I examined many of those buildings. While the copper pipes and wiring had been stripped and most were missing better architectural features, the buildings still contained outstanding doors, flooring, wood siding, beautiful old-growth straight grained framing lumber and antique brick foundations. In August of this year I met with several members of the Cleveland City Council and the heads of various departments and community development corporations. One thing I'm sure of as a result of that meeting is that Cleveland, like most old manufacturing cities in the Upper Midwest and East, did not need to spend limited resources on a pilot project. To rebuild and repopulate its core, Cleveland needs long-range programs that are economically focused, include training, and target more than a couple of houses. |
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| New Inventory |
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The Oakland warehouse recently received several truckloads of framing lumber. Enjoy great savings for all your framing needs with these quality materials. |
Framing Lumber |
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The Los Angeles (Pacoima ) warehouse just received a shipment containing several beautiful rustic doors. These are exceptional, so stop by and take a look. |
Beautiful Rustic Doors |
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| Special of the Month |
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At the Oakland warehouse we're featuring our huge inventory of windows. Receive 25% off on any window purchase through November 15, 2008.
At the Los Angeles (Pacoima) warehouse we're featuring doors, doors and more doors. Purchase any door in the warehouse for just $10 through November 15, 2008.
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| TRP is Looking for a few Good People |
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Go to our website www.thereusepeople.org, click on the tab "Opportunities" and look under the heading "Employment Opportunities"
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| Deconstruction & New Materials Update |
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In Northern California, TRP's Oakland warehouse will receive:
- Lots of good lumber from a 2,500 ranch house in Orinda, including exposed beam ceiling and 2x6 tongue-and-groove decking.
- All materials from a 1,100 sq-ft St. Helena house, including Milgard dual-glazed windows, French door w/Schlage lockset, etched transom window, and four-panel doors with elegant brass handles
- All materials from a 3,700 sq-ft Atherton house, including four ornate cast-iron light fixtures (floral motif), hand painted vanity sink, cherry wood kitchen cabinetry and like new carpets
In Los Angeles, the Pacoima warehouse will receive:
- All materials from a 4,600 sq-ft house in Fairbanks Ranch, including Marvin dual-pane windows, hardwood flooring, Subzero refrigerator/freezer, tile-top vanities, Dacor gas range top, plantation shutters, pedestal sinks, Jacuzzi tub, chandelier, and kitchen cabinets
- Materials from the major remodel of an exclusive 1990s Beverly Hills home, including hand constructed white pine and maple cabinetry, 7-ft interior doors with Baldwin hardware, 20 chandeliers, decorative wall sconces, concrete glass-doored fireplaces, bathroom vanities with premium fixtures, plantation shutters, granite countertops and premium brass hardware from all exterior doors
- All materials from a 2,285 sq-ft Santa Monica house circa 1940s, including oak hardwood flooring, interior solid raised-panel doors, Kenmore stainless refrigerator/freezer, Thermador electric double oven and 4-burner gas countertop range, Maytag digital dishwasher and chandelier
- Note: Habitat for Humanity in San Diego will receive many of the San Diego materials.
In Kansas City, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore will receive:
- All materials from a 2,146 sq-ft Leawood house built in 1954, including oak hardwood flooring, new 18 ft steel garage door, and framing lumber
- All materials from a 2,986 sq-ft Mission Hills house built in 1952, including oak hardwood flooring, updated painted wood cabinets, Pella replacement windows with energy efficient dual-pane glass, and framing lumber
In Denver, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore will receive:
- Materials from a 100 year-old farm in Thornton, including vertical grain, old-growth southern yellow pine flooring, Douglas fir flooring, 5-panel doors, weathered wood from corrals and fences, corrugated metal roofing, interior pine boards and dimensional lumber, and 5-inch base molding
The Chicago warehouse will receive:
- All materials from two 4,000 sq-ft suburban homes featuring six-panel wood doors, solid oak flooring and lots of old Chicago brick
- All materials from a three-flat in the city, including old growth lumber, old Chicago brick, solid oak flooring and all new thermo pane windows
Location and Contact Information
TRP Retail-Warehouse
9235 San Leandro Street
Oakland, CA 94603
(510) 383-1983; toll-free 888-588-9490
Hours: Mon through Fri 10:00 to 6:00; Sat and Sun 10:00 to 4:00
Los Angeles (Pacoima) TRP Retail-Warehouse
11017 Sutter Avenue
Pacoima, CA 91331
(818) 897-2798
Hours: Tues through Fri 10:00 to 5:00; Saturday 10:00 to 4:00
Please visit our partnering warehouse in Kansas City:
Kansas City Habitat for Humanity
4701 Deramus Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64120
(816) 231-7602
Please visit our partnering warehouse in the Los Angeles area:
Silver Lake Yards
1086 Manzanita Street
Silver Lake, CA 90026
(323) 667-2875
Hours: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment
Directions: Manzanita Street crosses Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake. Go south 1 short block and turn right just before Santa Monica Boulevard.
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Copyright 2008 The ReUse People of America, Inc.
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