Unlike other sites marked for deconstruction, the Edendale site was a Peerless hardware store, built in 1910 and  with two large multi-family homes dating back to the 1920's. The hardware store contained valuable construction material including wood beams, bricks, vintage wood and aluminum doors which were carefully dismantled, sold, and/or donated for reuse. 

Half of the total recovered red brick were reserved for the new Edendale Library plaza. Other material recovered such as asphalt, concrete, and scrap metal were sorted and taken to nearby recycling facilities.  Approximately 15% of the total material on site was salvaged and 79% recycled or accepted as Average Daily Cover (ADC).

The two homes are scheduled for relocation within the Echo Park community.

Diversion highlights at Edendale were:

• 12 tons  of black interior metal work recycled and 3 tons salvaged 

• All aluminum from facility was recycled

• Approx. 14 tons of wood and 15 tons of steel columns were salvaged and reused for construction

• 59,500 red Simons bricks were salvaged

• 756 tons of inert material such as concrete and asphalt were recycled and used as base material

• 2,000 sq. ft. of hardwood flooring was reused

The contractor acquired $17,470 for the salvaged materials, $15,000 of which came from historic brick sales. Recycling costs for various materials such as concrete and metal amounted to $2,357. Landfill tipping fees were $1,523. Minus the fees paid for recycling and dumping, the contractor achieved a net gain of $13,590 for the materials component of the project.

The Palms Rancho Library, located at 2920 Overland Ave, completed deconstruction /soft demolition in May 2001. The 1960’s era library was primarily built with reinforced brick, wood, and concrete. Overall, deconstruction occurred mostly as intended, with significant recovery of glue lam beams, lumber, metal, fixtures, shelving, doors, travertine tiles, etc. Due to the complex nature of the brick construction, the project team expected and specified minimal brick salvage. Inside were several tons of reusable library furniture such as shelving, tables and chairs. All  furniture was donated to neighbors and had various end uses. One resident used the acquired library shelving as hardwood flooring and new cabinets for a home improvement project. Another individual used the shelving to create frames and various artworks.  

Some of the diversion highlights at the Palms-Rancho Library site were: 

Items recovered include:

• 150 square feet of hardwood flooring salvaged 

• All freestanding interior bookshelves and perimeter bookshelves donated to various schools and non-profit organization

• 131 tons of concrete crushed on site for base material (for new parking lot) 

• 1500 red bricks from chimney recovered and sold

• 4 interior and 1 exterior door salvaged and sold

• 20 sheets of 4'x8'x1/2" plywood recovered and sold

• 3 palm trees relocated, 1 eucalyptus and pine tree recycled

• 1 hot water heater donated

• 3 HVAC units donated

The old Palisades Library building, located at 861 Alma Real Drive used reinforced brick as a primary structural material. Initial hopes of the program were for significant salvage of brick for reuse in the new library and for resale off-site. The overall deconstruction occurred mostly as intended, with significant recovery of glue lam beams, lumber, metal, fixtures, shelving, doors, plants, etc. However, the brick deconstruction proved to be more difficult than the initial testing indicated as the cement between the bricks was equal nearly in composition to the brick, hindering any salvage potential. The testing removed what turned out to be the easiest bricks, the end ones on a wall with particularly soft mortar. The crews made attempts to remove the middle bricks on different walls with diamond saws, power chisels, and manual methods and found that the brick material would generally break apart before full removal.

Material diversion from the Palisades site included:

• 25 60' glue lam beams salvaged and sold 

• 150 red paving brick salvaged for reuse in new library 

• 35 aluminum window frames and 12 door frames salvaged

• 4 8' outdoor lamp posts donated 

• Trees and rosebushes donated to nearby residents

• 23 10' metal columns recycled

• 7 wood doors donated to nearby park personnel

• 350 sheets of wood trim from upper parapet salvaged and sold

• All furniture including Isle and wall book shelves, chairs and tables were donated

• 1 water heater 

 Deconstruction at the library completed in late May 2001.