by MEREDITH M. GRIFFITH
Sounder contributor
The Exchange hopes to be up and running by this February, announced Orcas Recycling Services this week. But significant support from the community is needed to make it happen.
“We are hopeful that the community will see the value,” said ORS board president Tim Blanchard at a public forum last week. “We believe it’s very possible.”
Over the past two years, ORS has completed the removal and recycling of over 40 tons of material from the former Exchange site. The board has negotiated with the county to hammer out an agreement and drafted plans to rebuild the Exchange. Now the organization has firm architectural drawings, cost estimates and approval from the county to begin the re-use facility’s rebirth from the ashes. The roughly 80-foot by 60-foot building is expected to cost $440,000 to build. Its location, owned and designated by the county, is a one-acre area surrounded by Orcas Island Transfer Station facilities.
“We are an island in the middle of their transfer station,” said Blanchard. A new one-way road, currently in progress by Island Excavating, will route incoming traffic from Orcas Road through the existing west entry and then circle northeast around the Exchange site and current drop boxes, sending traffic back out through the current entrance on the east side. Parking will be added on three sides of the Exchange building. The road construction has been financed by the $25,500 from San Juan County Public Facilities Finance Assistance Program (PFFAP), as well as funding from the Orcas Island Community Foundation and many other donors. ORS also received a PFFAP grant of $40,519 towards the project last year.
Three options ORS examined for the structure were: 1) an “off-the-shelf” metal building; 2) a fabric or “clearspan” structure; or 3) a pole building with a shed roof. While a pole building has the highest estimated cost, board members said it’s their top choice, since the structure will provide the most future flexibility and allow skilled community members to help in construction, possibly reducing actual costs. The “two-building design” will involve a small, heated office annex adjacent to the large primary structure.
ORS said they have not yet used any of the funds that have been donated to help the Exchange rebuild, and now have over $100,000 in the bank. While much of the $440,000 is needed in order to begin building, Blanchard said it’s possible the Exchange may be able to begin operating with just a roof and a north wall, after some careful calculations. County code requires that all items be stored under cover, so ORS will have to carefully manage the flow of goods to avoid overpacking the building, which could impede goods turnover or cause fire danger.
ORS expects the roadwork to be completed by October 31. Next steps include finalizing the building design and completing engineering of the building and foundation. ORS hopes to begin forming the foundation on November 1, begin construction on December 1, and complete the building by February 1, 2016. ORS plans to host an open house in the new building in mid-February, the three-year anniversary of the fire.
A hefty portion of the expected cost is what Blanchard refers to as “a nifty, hi-tech slab.” Due to proximity to the county landfill, it has been determined that there is a risk of “methane migration,” or the build-up and explosion of methane under the earth due to off-gassing from the landfill. A special slab is required to mitigate that risk.
County code requires that all items be stored under cover, so ORS will have to carefully manage the flow of reuse items to avoid overpacking the building, which could impede goods turnover or cause fire danger.
There is no water source at the Orcas Island transfer station, and ORS says drilling a well is not an option. Architect Fred Klein said that roughly 43,000 gallons of water could be obtained each year from rooftop rainwater catchment, which under county code would give ORS greater allowance in the future to install impermeable surfaces, if needed. The county has approved the use of port-a-potties on the site.
Another concern expressed by ORS was that the organization has just a five-year lease contract with the county, so there is potential risk in investing in a building on land ORS does not own. The board explored alternative sites for the Exchange, but in the end concluded that the county-owned transfer station site is the best option.
ORS’ motto is “Building a zero waste community through service, education, and responsible stewardship of our waste / resource streams.” ORS expects to employ up to 10 full and part-time workers on a long-term basis. In addition to these employees, volunteers are needed to help with everything from sorting items, gardening, construction and artistry to fundraising campaigns. Luckily, the Exchange already has a lot of friends.
“We have a very committed list of over 400 people who would do anything that is needed,” said ORS Executive Director Pete Moe.
Because of state prevailing wage requirements, Blanchard said that donating building materials is another great way for community members to help reduce the project’s overall costs.
“We’ve got a gigantic expensive slab to build,” he added. “We’ll let you put your hand[prints] in it.” Sign up to help at http://www.exchangeorcas.org/volunteer/.
