Comments for Great Lakes Building ReUse

Comment on Conference attendees decon an abandoned home by Glenn Johnson

Glenn Johnson — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:46:53 +0000

Hello all. I am Glenn Johnson from Flint Michigan. I attended the 2008 conference and was very interested in deconstruction. As you may all know, Flint is a city with blighted issues. This is a major concern for me. I was looking to create a deconstruction program here.

Comment on Designing policy for “Homes that last” by Don Argus AIA

Don Argus AIA — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 03:18:21 +0000

Has there been any attempt to link up people whose homes have been foreclosed upon with community land trusts?

Comment on Let’s Get Acquainted by Don Argus AIA

Don Argus AIA — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:21:09 +0000

Howdy,
I’m Don Argus. I am an architect interested in shifting towards commissioning my own work in the form of design/build projects, focusing on urban infill and restoration. I have been working in Seattle for many years but am attracted to my New York State (in deference to you Western New Yorkers I will refrain from using the term “Upstate”) homeland for such work.

I learned of Buffalo ReUse from a recent issue of Dwell magazine. As a preservationist I have mixed feelings about removing existing housing stock, especially from the kind of neighborhood streetscape pattern that New Urbanist developments go to great lengths to try to recreate.

But I recognize that issues in our cities cannot be solved through architecture and urban design alone. If shrinking our cities has to be done, then regarding the material as a resource and recovering it is the way to go. Looks like you guys are doing a great job not only in resource recovery but in community organization and empowerment as well.

Might you find some synergy with outfits that rescue structures in rural environments such as Historic Building Rescue (http://www.historicbuildingrescue.org)? They offer rescued barns and houses whole or as a kit of parts. I’ll bet there are houses and outbuildings in Buffalo that would be appealing to people with attractive sites who wish to build. Is it possible to offer abandoned houses for relocation first, and deconstruction later?

One company here in the Pacific Northwest that does a good job of that is Nickel Brothers House Movers Ltd (http://www.nickelbros.com/). They take full advantage of our inland waterways in WA and BC to relocate houses with relative ease. New York State still has an excellent canal system with access to the Great Lakes and the Intracoastal Waterway. I could imagine barging some of Buffalo’s excess housing stock to growing communities elsewhere.

Cheers,
Don

Comment on Let’s Get Acquainted by adeuell

adeuell — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 02:33:13 +0000

Hi I’m Alexander. I am a graduate student at SUNY ESF in Syracuse focusing on Sustainability. I have been fairly active attending workshops and events in the Syracuse area over the past semester and wish to do the same when I am home in Buffalo during the summer months. I have heard rumors of discussion about green building in buffalo but I’m not quite sure where to go to join in on the conversation.

Comment on LEED Workshop - Buffalo, NY by Tracie Hall

Tracie Hall — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:25:02 +0000

Rebekah,
Thank you for helping to promote this valuable workshop in your blog. I would welcome other suggestions for promotion.
Green Regards,
Tracie Hall, Executive Director, USGBC NY Upstate Chapter

Comment on Let’s Get Acquainted by Megan

Megan — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:28:05 +0000

Hello! I’m Megan McNally. I interned for Buffalo ReUse over the summer and now I just sort of show up all the time…I do whatever odd jobs need to get done.

I’m working on rehabbing a house down the street from the ReSOURCE, teaching “how to” workshops on home repair, maintenance, gardening, etc. My garden this summer will try and incorporate permaculture design elements–I so want to build an outdoor oven!! I am also excited about urban farming, greening our economy, youth education and community strengthening.

Comment on Let’s Get Acquainted by Kevin

Kevin — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:42:51 +0000

Hi, I’m Kevin Hayes. I’m an employee and one of the co-founders of Buffalo ReUse. I run our retail store, the ReSOURCE.

I became interested in building reuse when I was a community-based volunteer housing activist, working with others on issues of fraudulent house flipping, predatory lending, bad landlords and the crisis/opportunity of vacant buildings and land in Buffalo.