City’s First-Ever Deconstruction Project Begins

City’s First-Ever Deconstruction Project Begins



Green alternative to demolition producing savings;

work is a part of Restore NY Round II



BINGHAMTON, NY – LCP Group, Inc. has begun the City’s first-ever deconstruction project at 42 Robinson St. Deconstruction is the systematic disassembly of buildings to reuse materials. This practice can reduce waste, lower tipping fees, extend the life of landfills, produce affordable building supplies and create jobs. As the City has found, deconstruction also can be more affordable than traditional demolition.



Today’s deconstruction is one of 11 the City will undertake in the next month. The City is using its Restore NY Round II grant to cover the related costs, and LCP will manage each project. As with its entire Restore NY Program, the City targeted these properties because they are blighted.



The deconstructions will be split into two phases:



PHASE I: TRAINING ON THREE PROPERTIES

In the first phase, national deconstruction expert David Bennink will help LCP deconstruct three residential properties—42 Robinson St., 95 Robinson St. and 71 Tompkins St. In the process, Bennink will train LCP’s workers in technique, safety precautions, documentation, and the salvage and resale of materials.



PHASE II: SAVING COSTS ON EIGHT PROPERTIES

In the second phase, LCP will utilize Bennink’s lessons at eight additional residential properties. By planning to minimize tipping fees and save items for resale, LCP submitted a bid that was considerably lower than its competition.



“We are excited that the City of Binghamton has provided us with the opportunity to bring nationally renowned deconstruction training to this area,” said Pierce. “We intend to begin creating value out of demolition projects—not just waste.”



The Phase II properties include 16 Cypress St., 26 Mather St., 45 Robinson St., 95 Pine St., 20 Tudor St., 27 May St., 66 Decatur St. and 122 Walnut St.



BOTTOM LINE: INVESTMENTS PRODUCING SAVINGS

Due to the training component, the Phase I deconstructions will cost more than traditional demolitions. However, the investment promises to pay off down the line.



LCP won the Phase I bid at $63,822, meaning each of the three deconstructions is about $21,274. Traditional demolitions are usually about $11,000.



The company won the Phase II bid for $62,000, about $11,000 less than the next lowest bid, which did not include deconstruction practices. In effect, deconstruction will save the City approximately $1,250 per property.



The City anticipates additional savings by continuing to use deconstruction practices. The City’s Restore NY Round III grant includes 27 demolitions, and if all were removed by deconstruction, the City would save approximately $33,750.



“We embrace deconstruction because it cuts costs, strengthens our economy and protects our environment,” said Mayor Ryan. “Since this practice is fairly new, it’s important that we offer high quality training to our workforce, and that’s exactly what we’re providing.”



BACKGROUND



· LCP Group, Inc. is a Vestal-based demolition, deconstruction and environmental contractor.



· David Bennink is owner of Re-Use Consulting, and offers over 16 years of deconstruction experience.



· The City’s Restore NY Program is redeveloping 117 blighted properties with $7.5 million in State grants, as well as additional private investment. Click here for more on the City’s Restore NY Program.



· Waste reduction is gaining popularity among municipalities nationwide. For example, the City of San Francisco is seeking to divert all waste from its landfill by 2020.



Contacts:

Andrew Block, Director of Community Relations, (607) 772-7001,

awblock@cityofbinghamton.com, www.cityofbinghamton.com