One Man's Trash...
July, 2005
by Zack Pohl
The City of Detroit is no stranger to building demolitions. Many inner-city neighborhoods are lined with deserted homes or vacant storefronts, and structural demolition is a logical first step on the road towards community re-development.
The idea of the Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit was conceived when a city planner recognized the waste that was being generated from these demolitions. While many structures in their entirety may not be suitable for renovation, these buildings contain Detroit’s history.
The Salvage Warehouse has responded by devising an alternative plan called deconstruction, which involves the removal of historic and reusable building materials from a building before it is demolished. Similar deconstruction strategies are taking root across the country in cities like Chicago, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh as a popular alternative to demolition.
In May, the Architectural Warehouse of Detroit partnered with the Michigan Interfaith Trust Fund to secure a $25,000 economic development loan for the organization. This loan will help the Salvage Warehouse leverage additional resources from matching grants (EDA & EPA), will provide affordable materials for low to moderate-income individuals, will create jobs in metro Detroit, and promotes an ecologically sensitive approach to community development.
The historic elements removed from a home produce affordable inventory for re-sale and, more importantly, reduce significant amounts of waste that will enter landfills. Recovered materials are made available for sale on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Architectural Salvage Warehouse, located at 4884 15th Street in Detroit.
So far, the Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit’s six-person crew has deconstructed two homes in Grosse Pointe Farms, and one in Birmingham. While the process is still pricier than traditional demolition, tax credits are made available to encourage home donations from environmentally-conscious owners.
The Michigan Interfaith Trust Fund wishes The Architectural Warehouse of Detroit the best of luck in their new venture.
The City of Detroit is no stranger to building demolitions. Many inner-city neighborhoods are lined with deserted homes or vacant storefronts, and structural demolition is a logical first step on the road towards community re-development.
The idea of the Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit was conceived when a city planner recognized the waste that was being generated from these demolitions. While many structures in their entirety may not be suitable for renovation, these buildings contain Detroit’s history.
The Salvage Warehouse has responded by devising an alternative plan called deconstruction, which involves the removal of historic and reusable building materials from a building before it is demolished. Similar deconstruction strategies are taking root across the country in cities like Chicago, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh as a popular alternative to demolition.
In May, the Architectural Warehouse of Detroit partnered with the Michigan Interfaith Trust Fund to secure a $25,000 economic development loan for the organization. This loan will help the Salvage Warehouse leverage additional resources from matching grants (EDA & EPA), will provide affordable materials for low to moderate-income individuals, will create jobs in metro Detroit, and promotes an ecologically sensitive approach to community development.
The historic elements removed from a home produce affordable inventory for re-sale and, more importantly, reduce significant amounts of waste that will enter landfills. Recovered materials are made available for sale on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Architectural Salvage Warehouse, located at 4884 15th Street in Detroit.
So far, the Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit’s six-person crew has deconstructed two homes in Grosse Pointe Farms, and one in Birmingham. While the process is still pricier than traditional demolition, tax credits are made available to encourage home donations from environmentally-conscious owners.
The Michigan Interfaith Trust Fund wishes The Architectural Warehouse of Detroit the best of luck in their new venture.