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The ReUse People - September 2008 NEWSLETTER
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| Getting Smarter in Seattle |
| By Ted Reiff |
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Wow! Folks are actually starting to wise up. Two months ago the little town of Los Altos Hills, California, put in place a truly sensible deconstruction permitting process. When a deconstruction (not demolition) contract is attached to the permit application, permit fees are waived and the new building plans go to the front of the approval line. This break-through ordinance was followed a couple of weeks ago by a similar measure in Seattle. There, the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) changed its land-use code to allow a deconstruction permit to be issued without first approving the plans for the new, replacement structure. Here's some background on this latest ground-breaking change (no pun intended).
Many cities and counties around the country do not allow demolition to proceed without first having the new plans submitted and approved, and a building permit issued. These municipalities, just to name a few, include the California cities of San Francisco and Orinda, the Illinois cities of Glencoe and Winnetka, and, until now, Seattle.
As most of you know, deconstruction is preferable to demolition for several reasons, both environmental and economic. Deconstruction reduces noise and dust pollution, extends the life of landfills and returns reusable materials to the marketplace. However, it is also more costly and takes up to 10 times longer than a bulldozer. Even though building owners may offset the cost of deconstruction by donating salvaged materials to nonprofit organizations like The ReUse People, time is still a major problem. If the demolition (deconstruction) permit is tied to the new building permit, the time factor is exacerbated by the often long wait -- 12 months or more in some cases. This is especially true in larger cities where building departments simply cannot handle the quantity of new permits.
While the Seattle city council has not yet blessed the proposed change in the city's land-use code, it does look imminent. To learn more, follow this link.
www.sustainableindustries.com/recycledmarkets/26393059.html
In December, 2005, TRP opened an office in Seattle, its first outside California. In addition to finding and training new TRP-certified deconstruction contractors in Seattle, we realized early on that if deconstruction were to really succeed, the city's antiquated permitting process had to change. With a very few notable exceptions, maybe one per year, whole-house deconstruction was not practiced in the greater Puget Sound Area. Instead, the existing building-materials salvage organizations practiced "soft-stripping," the removal and salvage of selected materials only. The disincentive posed by the permitting process was largely to blame.
Our first victory occurred when we convinced DPD to enclose in the demolition application package an informative piece describing the benefits of deconstruction and listing the local salvage organizations. This was a great step forward, but it still did not help folks whose projects were delayed due to the permitting process. We pressed on, meeting with people from DPD and the departments of the environment, waste management, and zoning.
Now, in August, 2008, our efforts have finally paid off. If owners choose to deconstruct instead of demolish their buildings, they can apply for and receive a deconstruction permit. However, to do so their deconstruction contractor must do three things:
- Recycle all the inert materials (concrete, asphalt and brick).
- Divert at least 50 percent of the remaining materials.
- Reuse at least 20 percent of the diverted materials and recycle the rest.
Although TRP reluctantly closed its Seattle office earlier this year, we are in regular touch with deconstruction contractors in the area, have the ability to do business there, and are heartened by the city's progress. Thank you Seattle!
TRP has already begun a similar foray in Chicago, and while that city's permitting process does not hinder deconstruction, its demolition processes and procedures do. It is tough being a pioneer, but the occasional victories are usually long-lasting and worth the good fight.
So, if you are aware of outdated codes or legislation that hinder deconstruction and building-materials salvage in your area, please have your local public servant call us and maybe, just maybe, we can help. |
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| New Inventory |
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The Oakland warehouse recently received an abundance of 1X3 tongue-and-groove Douglas fir flooring. If you're thinking about switching to soft-wood flooring, be sure to check out this cost-saving alternative. |
Fir Flooring |
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The Los Angeles (Pacoima ) warehouse has received large quantities of fine lumber and doors from a house built in 1923 -- materials with both quality and character. |
Fine Lumber & Doors |
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| Special of the Month |
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At the Oakland warehouse we're featuring our huge collection of bricks. Receive 50% off on any brick purchase through October 10, 2008.
At the Los Angeles (Pacoima) warehouse receive 50% off on windows through October 10, 2008.
In Boulder, everything is being liquidated - name your own price - we will probably accept it. |
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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 lumber from a 2,700 sq-ft Los Altos Hills house, including 3x6x15 tongue & grove pine, and glulams in several sizes
- All materials from a 3,500 sq-ft Napa house, including brass fixtures, cast iron gas stove, cast iron wood-fired oven, redwood paneling, pedastal sinks and a Vulcan range
In Los Angeles, the Pacoima warehouse will receive:
- All materials from a two-story 2,557 sq-ft Pacific Palisades house built in 1923, including oak hardwood floors, raised panel doors, vintage 50s wall sconces, kitchen cabinets, small bathroom vanity and sinks, and old-growth lumber
- All lumber from a 975 sq-ft Venice house built in 1949
- All materials from a 2,285 sq-ft Santa Monica house built in 1940, remodeled in 1949, including oak hardwood flooring, chandelier, interior solid raised panel doors, Kenmore stainless refrigerator, Maytag digital dishwasher, and Thermadore electric double oven and four-burner gas countertop range
- All materials from a two story 2,200 sq-ft Encinitas house, including Vermont fireplace insert, Marvin dual-pane windows, maple cabinets and French doors
- All materials from a 3,000 sq-ft La Jolla house, including single-pane aluminum windows, hardwood flooring, patio furniture, two workbenches, wrought iron gate and aluminum kennel gates
- Select materials from Tierrasanta kitchen remodel, including double convection oven, microwave, flat-top gas range, white flat-panel cabinets and Bosch dishwasher
- All materials from a 1,000 sq-ft Solana Beach house, including single-pane windows and lumber
Note: Habitat for Humanity in San Diego will receive some of the San Diego materials.
In Kansas City, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore will receive:
- All materials from a 2,986 sq-ft house built in 1952, including abundant oak hardwood flooring, updated painted wood cabinets, dual-pane Pella replacement windows and framing lumber
The Chicago warehouse will receive:
- 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 ReUse Bazaar
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
TRP Los Angeles (Pacoima) 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
Boulder Warehouse
10500 Isabelle Road
Lafayette, CO 80026
(303) 666-8094
Hours: Thursday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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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