The ReUse People - August 2005 NEWSLETTER

Deconstruction Strike-Team to the Rescue! By Ted Reiff

The next time you visit the Alameda warehouse, stop at the sales desk and ask for a copy of Architectural Salvage News. Not only does this publication feature great articles on building-materials salvage, it contains advertising from some of the best salvage organizations in the country. Subscriptions are free and you can get the newsletter mailed to you by writing:

Architectural Salvage News 2827 Carolina Ave, SW Roanoke, VA 92014

Or, email the publisher at rellis@architecturalsalvagenews.com Or, phone the publisher, Rich Ellis, at (540) 588-1258.

We will be distributing current and future issues of Architectural Salvage News at The ReUse Bazaar in Alameda.

One particular article in the current issue caught my attention. A magnificent 1854 Greek Revival house in Waukegan, Illinois, was torn down by the county (Lake County to be exact) to make room for a parking lot! No one, not even the Waukegan Historic Preservation Commission, was allowed to salvage artifacts from the structure! The newsletter carries before and after photos. A two-story marvel with walnut staircase, floral motifs, cast iron mantel and countless other artifacts becomes a pile of rubble. I wonder how Lake County officials would have reacted if a private citizen had done something so stupid.

Anyway, I got to thinking about the role TRP might play in situations like this. It occurred to me that TRP and its certified deconstruction contractors could form a Rapid Deconstruction Strike Team. Then, when incidents like this one become known to us, we could immediately prepare a low or no-cost bid (low enough to capture the job). All of the salvaged materials would be ours to distribute, possibly through or in cooperation with local historic commissions, which would receive a portion of the proceeds.

When expanding to new regions, TRP would need to form alliances with local historic organizations and make its services available to them. Sure, we would probably lose money on some such "rapid deconstructions," but the press coverage would be invaluable. With a little effort, we could even serve areas in which we do not yet have a presence. We currently accept work in remote locations (a day's drive) and have little difficulty handling the logistics of these projects.

Additionally, we could seek grants from foundations and state and local governments to cover costs that exceed low "emergency" bids. Such funds would be available only for strike-team purposes.

I plan to write a monograph on this subject and submit it to several governmental and historical agencies for feedback. I invite your comments and feedback, too.

New Inventory

The Alameda warehouse recently received a shipment of heavy-gauge metal roofing from a custom 1997 Truckee home. We have 22 roofing sections. Each is 2 feet wide by 27 feet long. That’s enough to cover approximately 1,000 square feet. We also have tons of lumber and fixtures from the houses listed below.

Special of the Month

This month we are featuring our wide array of cabinets and vanities. Bring a copy of this e-letter with you and receive 30% off on all cabinet and vanity selections through September 10, 2005.

Clearance Sale

On Sunday, September 4, TRP will hold its first storewide clearance sale with 50% off on all materials, except lumber. This will be a huge sale. Stop by and help us clear out the warehouse to make room for new materials arriving in September and October.

Friends of TRP

Join Friends of TRP at either the Oak ($25 annually) or the Mahogany ($100 annually) level. In addition to helping TRP achieve its mission, you'll receive discounts on used building materials, be entered in our quarterly drawing for a $100 gift certificate, and other benefits.

Click here to access the TRP membership form. Print the form and mail it to TRP with your donation. Thank you!

Remember, as a Friend of TRP you receive two discounts - the discount on the special of the month plus you don't pay sales tax.

TRP is Looking for a few Good People

Go to our website www.thereusepeople.org, click on the tab "Opportunities" and look under the heading "Employment Opportunities"

Personnel Update

Cheryl Sharp has joined the TRP team as Southern California Area Manager for San Diego County. Welcome Cheryl!

Deconstruction & New Materials Update

The Alameda ReUse Bazaar we will receive:

• All the fixtures and framing members from a 2,000 sq-ft ranch home in Palo Alto
• All the materials from a 1,700 sq-ft custom ranch in Orinda
• All interior materials (cabinets, doors, plumbing and electrical fixtures) from a custom home in Lafayette
• All white vinyl windows, two sets of French doors and a beautiful early 1950s 4-burner Wedgwood stove from a home in Walnut Creek. The doors and windows are only three years old, and the Wedgwood stove is in pristine condition.
• Miscellaneous materials from drop-off and pick-up donations

In Los Angeles, the Habitat for Humanity Home Improvement Store will receive:

• The contents of a 1940s Pacific Palisades cottage, including hardwood floors, vintage deco fireplace mantle, utilitarian appliances, raised panel doors, cabinets and garage shelving
• Ten sets of double French doors, 3000 square feet of hardwood flooring, premium appliances, and crown molding, along with most other components from a beautifully maintained ranch style home in Brentwood
• All finished materials from a 1940s ranch home in Rolling Hills, including hardwood floors, double-hung windows and raised panel doors, all very attractive.
• A ranch home in Tustin will bring in cabinetry, doors and windows toward the end of August

Location and Contact Information

TRP ReUse Bazaar
2100 Ferry Point, #150
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 522-2722; toll-free 888-588-9490
Hours: Mon through Fri 10:00 to 6:00; Sat and Sun 10:00 to 4:00

Please visit our partnering warehouses in the greater Los Angeles area:

Habitat Home Improvement Store
17700 S. Figueroa (corner of 182nd), Gardena/Carson CA 90248
(310)-323-5665
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6: 00 p.m.

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.