Buffalo Rising Online

Jun 14th 2007, 11:28am By Kate Peruzzini

Michael Gainer of Buffalo ReUSE was recently awarded a $60,000 fellowship from the Echoing Green Foundation that will allow him to devote more time to his organization over the next two years. Buffalo ReUSE works to ameliorate the growing impact of widespread demolitions through use of deconstruction, an alternative approach to structure removal.

The Echoing Green Foundation was founded to empower social entrepreneurs through seed funding, consulting, networking services and workshops that equip participating organizations for growth and sustainability.

Michael underwent multiple rounds of applications and an interview before Echoing Green chose him as one of 33 finalists. This year's finalists run projects in twelve countries, in addition to those from the domestic United States. "It was a humbling experience," he said. "I felt really grateful to be there, to be surrounded by really great inspiring people and ideas, and really grateful for Buffalo too."

Buffalo ReUSE was formed to provide an answer to the 23,000 vacant housing units slated for demolition throughout the city. The city's goal to demolish 1,000 houses per year for the next 10 years would cost taxpayers more than $100 million if the structures were demolished with a wrecking ball.

Hybrid deconstruction, Buffalo ReUSE's method, uses a combination of machines and manpower to essentially rewind the construction process and dismantle a structure in the opposite way it was constructed. Buffalo ReUSE members worked with a deconstruction consultant, who taught them the technique.

"It was raining," Michael recounted. "We worked through the rain, got good training, and everything went wrong, which was good." Though the second deconstruction site was more challenging, everything went "exactly as it was supposed to."

Currently, Michael said, Buffalo ReUSE members are focused on experimenting with efficient debris handling techniques, equipment rentals, and networking. This month's goal is to find a larger, more suitable warehouse space than ReUSE's current Ellicott Street location to store salvaged building materials and to act as a retail shop. Ideally, the new space will measure 20,000 square feet, have an outdoor component, and belong to a community-minded landlord. If you happen to know of such a space, contact Michael at (716) 885-4131.

Instead of leaving a void where a house once stood, Buffalo ReUSE turns the deconstruction process into a catalyst for community growth. The organization devotes as much energy to community enrichment as it does to the deconstruction process, with a focus on 18-24 year olds. Michael mentioned a variety of uses for the salvaged materials, including furniture design competitions and art installations by architecture and design students at local schools. He described how single pane windows could be used to build greenhouses that would promote entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability.

"It's not enough to have a vacant lot. You need to infuse energy into that space...[we don't want to create] a big loose golf course," Michael pointed out, emphasizing the importance of a strategic plan. "We don't want to tear communities apart."

Buffalo ReUSE will use the Echoing Green grant money to hire a few full time employees, in addition to its volunteer base and those who already work part-time for the organization. Michael described some of the positions Buffalo ReUSE is looking to fill:

He plans to hire an assistant project manager, who will help him with current projects and train to manage future projects. Two to three deconstruction technicians, preferably with backgrounds in construction, are needed to captain the deconstruction process on site and maintain safe conditions. A logistics coordinator will handle administrative duties, record keeping, media contacts, and communication with potential clients. Eventually, a part-time sales coordinator will be needed to manage the salvaged materials store.

Buffalo ReUSE is currently accepting applications for the above positions. Please visit www.buffaloreuse.org for more information, including a host of volunteering opportunities.