Home deconstruction on the rise in the Twin Cities

Home deconstructions are on the rise in the Twin Cities.

The process involves dismantling a building instead of simply demolishing it, so crews can salvage reusable materials.

In February, 5 EYEWITNESS News reported Hennepin County was one of the first counties in the country to offer "green grants" for deconstruction.

The county’s environmental protection specialist said 12 projects have now been awarded grants for deconstruction. Six have already been completed and another six are currently in progress.

"It just seemed like the right thing to do environmentally, to keep as much useful material out of the landfill," said Dean Bachmeier, one of the grant recipients. "And the grant allowed us then to offset about a third of the cost."

Bachmeier bought a 1940s house in Edina and is having it deconstructed so he can eventually build a new home there for retirement.

"What they can salvage, you’re amazed to some extent that they can extract a lot of the material and put it to reuse," Bachmeier said.

Bachmeier worked with Great Neighborhood Homes and Better Futures Minnesota for the deconstruction.

"With the Hennepin County deconstruction grants, I’ve definitely seen an increase in inquiries regarding deconstruction," said Alex Baldwin, business manager of Better Futures Minnesota.

Better Futures Minnesota is a nonprofit organization that works to preserve the environment through processes like deconstruction while employing people who have prior felony convictions.

"We are committed to social change,” Baldwin said. "We’re committed to employing and housing men who have either recently been incarcerated or need a fresh start.”

The salvaged materials are then sold in their south Minneapolis warehouse, which is open to the public. The money is used to fund the nonprofit’s outreach and integrated-care services for formerly incarcerated men.

"We salvage things like doors, cabinetry, hardwood flooring, mechanical units, bath fixtures, ceiling fans," Baldwin said. "It’s great for the community, it’s great for the environment. It is a fairly straightforward and easy process."

Baldwin said there are a few things they cannot salvage during deconstruction projects, including drywall, fluorescent lights, asphalt shingles and hazardous materials.

Better Futures Minnesota estimates they diverted 900 tons of construction and demolition waste from Minnesota’s landfills in 2019. They expect that number to be higher this year. They completed 45 deconstructions last year and have about 70 projects planned for 2020.

Hennepin County has $100,000 of grant money available for deconstruction in 2020, with up to $5,000 per project based on the square footage of the property. The county said $45,000 in grant funds are still available, so they could allocate funds for at least nine more projects this year.

Homeowners and developers in 13 cities can apply for the grant money: Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Deephaven, Edina, Excelsior, Greenfield, Greenwood, Hopkins, Minneapolis, Maple Grove, Mound, St. Louis Park and Woodland. Additional cities will be considered for participation as the program expands. More information about applying for a grant can be found here.

To learn more about salvaging building materials in Hennepin County, click here.