Students from Illinois Central College got some hands on experience in stripping salvageable materials from a vacant home in Peoria. It’s part of ICC’s Deconstruction Certificate Program. The goal is to prepare students for entry level positions that require knowledge of re-usable materials in unused properties. Anne Nicklin developed ICC’s deconstruction program. She says the college works with the city of Peoria to salvage items before crews demolish abandoned properties:
“Basically we’re looking at materials that otherwise would be demolished and go to the landfill, and giving our students the skill to take those materials - what would be called garbage - and sell it. So they’re learning how to price, value and remove these materials, and go ahead and sell them to private parties,” Nicklin says.
Nicklin says some of the common items taken from abandoned homes include old-growth flooring, paneled doors and porcelain items like sinks and tubs. Nicklin says the students will sell the items to contractors and individuals next Thursday on ICC’s East Peoria campus.