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Deconstruction Junction: Milwaukee's Reuse Future

1/30/2018

13 Comments

 
After years of trying different approaches to deconstruction projects, the city of Milwaukee passed a deconstruction ordinance that will increase sustainable-building practices and workforce-development opportunities. Now, contractors are at a junction allowing them to choose to build a better reuse economy.

UPDATE: The City of Milwaukee's Deconstruction Ordinance has been stayed until March 1, 2020.  


Ordinance

On Jan. 1, the country’s second deconstruction ordinance went into effect in Milwaukee. In short, the ordinance “provides deconstruction requirements for the removal of Milwaukee’s older and more historic primary dwelling structures.” Deconstruction, in contrast to demolition, is the process of systematically dismantling a structure in an environmentally, socially and economically responsible manner, aiming to maximize the recovery of materials for reuse and recycling. The ordinance targets primary-dwelling structures built in 1929 or earlier. This reason for this specification? The likelihood that those structures will contain old-growth lumber and other valuable building materials.

Benefits

When it comes to protecting the environment, deconstruction is a preferred method because it reduces waste, minimizes air pollution, decreases carbon emissions, abates the need for new landfills and incinerators, preserves resources and saves energy by decreasing the extraction and processing of raw materials.

Deconstruction also creates roughly six to eight jobs for every one job created by standard demolition. Deconstruction requires a great deal of labor and results in local job growth. This adds to the local tax base and contributes to a multiplier effect of money invested into the community. While additional job opportunities arise for contractors and consultants in the deconstruction trade, managing the downstream flow of reclaimed building materials also creates jobs in warehouse operations, retail, value-added manufacturing and skill-building.
Economically, proper deconstruction techniques reduce disposal costs and help avoid purchases of new materials. Additionally, tax deductions from donated reclaimed building materials can result in a significant reduction in total costs. These donated materials can provide a revenue stream to pay for programs at non-profit organizations.

The Bigger Picture

Although some think deconstruction is more expensive than demolition, others understand that deconstruction and the sale of reclaimed materials bolster the local economy. For publicly funded deconstruction projects, the emphasis on workforce development and Residential Preference Program is designed to give under-employed and unemployed city residents access to job opportunities. These residents have the opportunity to provide a valuable service to the city of Milwaukee, develop new skill and add to their livelihood. From an economic and social perspective, this is a much better alternative than possibly falling victim to a vicious cycle within the penal system.

Private homeowners have an even greater financial incentive to perform deconstruction. As a rule of thumb, WasteCap suggests that the deconstruction of private structures should occur when the appraisal value for salvageable materials is at least three times greater than the total cost of deconstruction. Organizations like The ReUse People of America (TRP) provide incentives encouraging private-home deconstruction. It’s true that the upfront costs of deconstruction are typically higher than those of demolition. However, the tax-savings from donated materials can cover most, if not all, of the cost of deconstruction services. Instead of paying for demolition and hauling materials to a landfill, homeowners can save money and benefit the local economy through the TRP model. The owner just needs to complete the following steps:

  • Receive an appraisal consultation: TRP has independent, IRS qualified appraisers help determine a preliminary value of a donation at no obligation. If the owners choose to move ahead with the project, the appraiser who is hired will complete a full evaluation and all the related and necessary documentation.
  • Get a free deconstruction bid: A TRP-Certified Deconstruction Contractor will submit a bid showing how whatever building is in question can be carefully deconstructed to meet TRP specifications.
  • Donate: Email the Donation Letter to TRP stating that you intend to make the donation and identify your appraiser and TRP-Certified Deconstruction Contractor.

The economics behind deconstruction work well when you have quality buildings and contractors.

Not Every Building Should be Deconstructed

Unfortunately, not every building is a candidate for deconstruction. If a structure is unsafe or its salvageable material has little value, it should not undergo full-scale deconstruction. Safety should be the first concern on any deconstruction project. If the health and safety of workers are compromised, the supply of deconstruction work and reclaimed materials will most likely be reduced. If the majority of materials are damaged, there is no realistic opportunity for salvage work in the first place. As the need for demolition can often arise from catastrophic events such as flooding or fire, it would be unfair to require deconstruction. Therefore, if a structure is unsafe and holds minimal resale value, it should be mechanically demolished by crews that are following best waste-management-disposal practices.

Fortunately, the city’s new ordinance provides exemptions for unfit structures. The ordinance also gives the commissioner administrative authority to determine which buildings are exempt. For municipally owned buildings, WasteCap suggests that buildings be objectively graded or scored to determine if they are a candidate for deconstruction. This way, the commissioner can concentrate on high-quality structures first and determine a measured threshold of cost effectiveness.

New Deconstruction Contractor Opportunities

Are you interested in deconstruction?  Are you a demolition contractor, workforce development organization or remodeler? There is a need for quality deconstruction contractors in the Milwaukee area. Now is the time to start your training and begin work on deconstruction projects!
​

For more information, see the following resources:
  • Milwaukee Deconstruction Ordinance Portal
  • WasteCap Resource Solutions Inc.
  • The Reuse People of America (TRP)
  • Build Reuse / Building Materials Reuse Association 

​This article originally appeared in the Daily Reporter on January 18, 2018.
13 Comments

Victoria Addington link
5/12/2022 08:46:03 pm

I agreed when you stated that deconstruction is the best method when it comes to safeguarding the environment. We are renovating our old house, so it needs to be demolished. I should hire a demolition service near my place to ensure that abatement procedures are followed.

Reply
Excavation Milwaukee link
6/12/2022 05:39:01 pm

I agree with you on this, deconstruction can really help lessen pollution and reduces waste. Great article you have here. Thank you for sharing!

Reply
John Carston link
11/7/2022 03:53:04 pm

It's great that this article talked that you should consider thinking about the bigger picture and have consultation for safety of the process. Yesterday, my friend told me he was hoping to find a reliable demolition service for their old property that would be their carwash business. He asked if I had any opinions on what would be the best option to consider. I'm grateful for the information on finding the best service provider. I'll tell him that consulting a well-known demolition service can help them with a safe demolition.

Reply
Olivia Smart link
12/16/2022 08:49:12 am

Thank you for pointing out how deconstruction creates more jobs. I wouldn't have thought that this kind of work would be so labor intensive as to add so many more jobs per project. It makes me wonder if more buildings should be deconstructed to help with the workforce.

Reply
Braden Bills link
2/15/2023 06:07:03 am

I want to get a building taken down so I can build some new construction. It's good to know that some destruction methods can end up damaging the environment. Deconstruction seems like a better option for me, because I don't want to damage the environment.

Reply
chain link fence Amarillo, TX link
3/13/2023 11:37:46 pm

I agree that deconstruction is the preferred method for this because because it protects the environment.

Reply
Stair Balusters link
5/11/2023 06:34:23 pm

Thanks for sharing such great information with us. Your Post is beneficial and the information is reliable for a new audience. Thanks again for sharing such a useful post.

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Metal BuildingServices link
2/8/2024 05:45:42 am

This message should be shared widely.

Reply
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2/8/2024 05:46:47 am

Continue generating insightful posts; your contributions are valuable.

Reply
judith Roth
4/13/2024 10:37:46 am

I had my bathroom redone and have some of the wall tiles from around the bathtub. I recently found a reference to you and wondered if there is a place that would accept for reuse what remains of the tiles. Most of the tile has been put into my garbage to go to landfill as my research for recycling such material was not productive.
Thank you for any help you can provide

Reply
Demolition services austin link
5/6/2024 01:51:07 pm

It's valuable that the article emphasizes the importance of considering the broader implications and seeking consultation for safety during the process. Just yesterday, a friend mentioned they were seeking a dependable demolition service for their upcoming carwash business venture on their old property. They asked for my opinion on the best option to pursue. I appreciate the guidance on finding a reliable service provider. I'll advise them to consult a reputable demolition service for a safe and smooth demolition.

Reply
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7/24/2024 11:30:47 am

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