As the owner of the demolition company that brought down 4 homes on Brentwood several weeks ago, I would like to commend you on your astute thoughts. I would also like to answer some of your questions.
1) In regard to a land bank. See Lien Forward Ohio. They are actively providing services that allow these properties to be purchased or granted to neighbors and citizens groups.
2) The Community Development Agency not only has a plan, but quite frankly, are the benchmark for the process. Several major cities are now using the Youngstown blueprint for their cities.
3) As far as the process used for the demolition, the requirement is that only masonry can be placed in the bottom of the hole. It also cannot exceed a certain percentage of the overall area of the cavity. Clean fill is then required for the rest of the operation. I can assure you that this process is used on all of the properties in which we control the demolition. We place an average of 90-120 yards of clean fill into every lot. I would argue that most homes average 4" of topsoil placed over clay, which is mixed with sandstone beneath. We give you concrete with 4 feet of clean fill. I know which lot I would grow my tomatos on.
Lastly, we do take 70% of the wood products to a recycling center instead of the landfill. Because of the violence of the demolition process, it is impossible to get everything seperated. The steel, aluminun, and copper (which we have not found yet) are turned into cash for excavator gasoline. Thanks for the interest and I hope that you have more confidence that the process is working.
An Idora Revival
Paulb,
As the owner of the demolition company that brought down 4 homes on Brentwood several weeks ago, I would like to commend you on your astute thoughts. I would also like to answer some of your questions.
1) In regard to a land bank. See Lien Forward Ohio. They are actively providing services that allow these properties to be purchased or granted to neighbors and citizens groups.
2) The Community Development Agency not only has a plan, but quite frankly, are the benchmark for the process. Several major cities are now using the Youngstown blueprint for their cities.
3) As far as the process used for the demolition, the requirement is that only masonry can be placed in the bottom of the hole. It also cannot exceed a certain percentage of the overall area of the cavity. Clean fill is then required for the rest of the operation. I can assure you that this process is used on all of the properties in which we control the demolition. We place an average of 90-120 yards of clean fill into every lot. I would argue that most homes average 4" of topsoil placed over clay, which is mixed with sandstone beneath. We give you concrete with 4 feet of clean fill. I know which lot I would grow my tomatos on.
Lastly, we do take 70% of the wood products to a recycling center instead of the landfill. Because of the violence of the demolition process, it is impossible to get everything seperated. The steel, aluminun, and copper (which we have not found yet) are turned into cash for excavator gasoline. Thanks for the interest and I hope that you have more confidence that the process is working.
December 3, 2009 at 12:34 p.m. permalink suggest removal