Reuse Center Building Renovation Advances
/Since the shovels hit the ground on July 6, a great deal of progress has been made on the renovation of the Reuse Center building at Boston Building Resources. This transformative project will make the building more efficient so that we can expand our capacity to take in and sell good-quality donated building materials. It will also eliminate the building’s carbon footprint through insulation, air sealing, an all-electric HVAC system, and a rooftop solar array to generate the power needed to operate on an annual basis.
During construction, sales and donations continue across the street at 87 Terrace Street, behind the building with the smokestack and colorful jazz mural.
Building addition
The foundation has been completed for an addition that will house new retail space. With windows open to the street and parking lot, this space will make it possible to show off some of the great kitchen cabinet sets that are donated to BBR.
Stormwater management
Laying the foundation for the addition wasn’t the only reason we had to dig in the parking lot. These three precast concrete drywells were set underground to handle any stormwater runoff from the roof and elsewhere on the property. After flowing into the cisterns, the water percolates back into the soil.
Interior wall framing
A look inside the building shows how the back section will become the receiving area, with room for our truck and van to back in and unload donated materials. In contrast to the old receiving area, which was a long and narrow space, the new area will have pallet racking to store newly received materials and more work area to accommodate volunteers.
Also completed on the building interior: rough electrical work and the installation of a fire suppression sprinkler system.
Coming soon: A new skin
Foam insulation panels for the walls and roof will soon be installed. These are part of a major upgrade to the building envelope, keeping heated and conditioned air in to minimize energy use.
This project is funded in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
We still need to raise funds to reach our $1.7 million campaign goal. If you value the work we’re doing, please contribute! Thank you.