Building Value partners with Zoo on deconstruction in Avondale

Construction of a new green space and streetscape in Avondale begins with the deconstruction of three Cincinnati Zoo owned properties in the neighborhood. Thanks to a unique partnership with the Zoo, Building Value, with help from ACT Recycling and Rumpke, will recycle or reuse as much as 85 percent of the material from the houses on the sites. The Zoo selected Building Value to deconstruct the homes at Vine Street and Forest Avenue because of their expertise in salvage and deconstruction work and focus on good green practices. 

All of the salvaged material from the deconstruction will be available for purchase at Building Value's retail store located at 4040 Spring Grove Ave.

"We'll recycle everything that we can that can't be reused - metal to a recycling center, the wood that can't be used will be ground up by Rumpke for mulch and compost. ACT Recycling will handle the concrete foundations, breaking them up for future construction aggregate," according to Lisa Doxsee, communications manager for Building Value.

Building Value's partnership with ACT Recycling and Rumpke began in late 2009 with the goal to increase the amount of building material that can be recycled or reused in a typical demolition project. Since the partnership began, Rumpke has recycled more than 22,000 pounds of wood material and assisted with 23 jobs. The deconstruction process reduces the volume of waste requiring landfill disposal by 19,000 cubic feet, provides enough lumber for 1,485 square feet of affordable housing and the salvage of lumber and panel products avoids the generation of green house gasses equivalent to removing more than six passenger cars from road.

The deconstruction process by the Zoo will take approximately 25 days to complete and employ a crew specially trained by Building Value.  Workers who were previously unemployed, underemployed or economically disadvantaged are trained through Building Value's programs including Youth Build, a national program for high school dropouts who want to gain skills while pursuing their high school diploma.

"To date we've trained close to 100 people through our programs some of whom are now working for companies like Messer Construction, CHC Fabrication and numerous area apprenticeship programs. We can't think of a better way to support the community than to provide people an opportunity to learn new skills that will eventually lead to a new career," says Jerry Janszen, director of Building Value.

Once deconstruction is complete and the land cleared, the project will feature a new green streetscape that will showcase the Avondale community. 

"The new green space benefits residents and builds upon collective projects moving the community to be a great place to live, work, worship and play," said Avondale Community Council President Patricia Milton.

Writer: Henry Sweets
Image provided.