Turning a Hot-Button Issue Into a Community Project

A pile of unused telephones from a shed outside of a building set for demolition could soon be the artistic medium of local school kids.

At the public hearing for three city-owned building demolitions on March 7, Connie Weathers took the microphone to present a bold idea: salvage the materials in the buildings for creative reuse and recycling. The propositions she described, though still in its early stages, would “take a hot-button issue and turn it into a community project,” says Weathers.

The plan calls for Sustainable Norcross to oversee the demolitions for prudent recycling and reuse and the Norcross Arts Alliance to organize public art projects using repurposed materials.

The Council voted 4-1 to demolish the building at 54 Jones St "with the recommendations of Sustainable Norcross." The two other Cemetery Street homes' demolition was also voted through with a minimum of 180 days waiting time. During that time the Council said they would hear the proposals from Sustainable Norcross. 

The nature of salvaged materials lends itself to 3-D art, which could dovetail nicely with the spots set aside for public art in Parks Master Plan, adopted earlier in the year. The art could also be bided on in a silent auction, Weathers said in her presentation before the Council.

Another possibility would be using some of the materials from the home at 155 N. Cemetery St. in other historic restorations. That Queen Anne cottage was built around 1900, according to a city survey of historic homes. That means it is similar style and age to the rectory, the city-owned parsonage adjacent the Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center, according to Weathers. Maybe the floors could be used to update its floors? With more ideas, come more possibilities.

The repurposing and recycling project could have the added bonus of helping Norcross get to the Gold Level in their Green Communities certification, as it could fulfill an “innovation” section requirements, according to Weathers.

Challenges are already apparent to Weathers. Even though they’ve zeroed in on some great resources for recycling deconstructed materials, some companies may not take small amounts or may be far from our Norcross home. 

Many artistic community members have already stepped up with unique talents to contribute. Allen Facemire and Suzan Satterfield of Salt Run Productionswould like to make a film documenting the unique project. Satterfield said she has already gotten some preliminary footage on site, and she’s excited to make the film as a service to the community.

The upcoming city-sponsored recycling day on April 9 also fit snugly into the plans, since they would allow a first clean out of the properties and also be a chance to turn in unused paint for the building, says Weathers. (The event will allow for paint recycling for the first time.) The paint could be treated and dropped back off with the Arts Alliance for a project.

Lori Sturgess would likely be an artistic organizer. “This could really be doing public art as a community project,” she said.

Sturgess seems a perfect fit for the job since she runs a company called Recenter Pieces that uses recycled objects to make whimsical, artistic centerpieces. Sturgess said that she always knows where the materials come from in her centerpieces. “Each one tells a story,” she said.

Sturgess said she would just oversee the community members making art with the materials, making sure any structures are sound—and that the final product is visually stunning.

During a preliminary visit to one building she said she already found a bunch of cool old phones and some interesting rubber tubing. It's unlikely fodder for bringing the community together.