By Scott Boylston

Two years ago, in one of our very first material harvest events, over 80 people—volunteers, paid apprentices, and employees from TrussMart, NorSouth, Southern Pine Co., and Mercy Housing—convened at the Savannah Gardens redevelopment site to pull nails from reclaimed studs and tongue and groove roof sheathing. That material, and similar material prepared during similar events since then, found its way into ceilings trusses, floors, and rain barrel stands in the new buildings on site.

And, now Phase 2 of Savannah Gardens features even more reclaimed materials!

Over the last year, NorSouth Construction has carried on with more on-site material reclamation in order to deck the floors of the Senior Living library and foyer with heart pine roof sheathing: and what beautiful floors this old wood makes!

As with the flooring in the Phase 1 community center, this flooring in Phase 2 provides residents—many of whom previously lived in the old housing on site—with a gentle reference to their personal history in east Savannah. “We receive so many compliments.” says Denise Henderson, the Area Management Specialist for Mercy Housing Southeast. “And I love them,” Denise, who is in constant contact with residents of Savannah Gardens adds, “It is nice to save a part of history!”