Past Projects of the North Fork CDC

Deconstruction 2001-2002

Deconstruction (Also known as hand-wrecking) is the careful dismantling of structures in order to salvage as much building material as possible.

The North Fork Mill Site Deconstuction Project is a partnership of multiple organizations each of which play a crucial role in making the project work. Since deconstruction began at the mill site in 1999, fourty-one participants in the training program have successfully graduated. Two buildings have been deconstructed.

The CDC and its project partners, the Materials for the Future Foundation (MMF), the Madera County Workforce Development Office (WDO), Madera County Department of Social Services and the Carpenters Local Union 701, have plans to deconstruct additional buildings and several smaller structures. The largest building (the main mill building) is approximately 57,330 square feet. The project plans to train up to another 108 participants in basic construction skills who are presently economically disadvantaged and through the Carpenter's Union place them in construction jobs.

The CDC was the first organization to attempt the deconstruction process in Madera County and to our knowledge the first time that deconstruction has been applied to a mill site. We hope that this project will serve as a useful pilot for other communities who will need to reclaim their sites in order to redevelop them. Since beginning deconstruction at the mill site, at least one other site has followed the example and is deconstructing in Madera County. It is an excellent opportunity to provide jobs in the construction and wood manufacturing related industries in rural communities with few other economic options.