Hopper Walls Project Completed

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Aug. 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Coffey Strong, in partnership with AshBritt Environmental and Rebuild NorthBay Foundation, celebrated the completion of the Hopper Walls Project on Saturday, August 24^th.

Coffey Strong, AshBritt Environmental, and Rebuild NorthBay Foundation collaborated for over a year to ensure all of the costs were covered, including demolition of the existing walls, debris removal, and replacement with a design and fire rated material chosen by residents. 

"AshBritt is honored to have been part of this significant community driven initiative that demonstrated firsthand the recovery efforts for the Coffey Park community and the entire Sonoma County region," said Brittany Castillo, AshBritt CEO. "Equally important, it demonstrated the resiliency of the entire affected region, and AshBritt's corporate commitment to be a long-term recovery partner in communities that we serve."

The group is thankful to Ken Calligar, CEO of RSG 3-D for his dedication to this project, contractors Farrow (formerly Site Prep), Mountain G.,  and Wolff Contracting for their pro bono resources in the demolition and disposal of the wall, and Martin Hirsch of the law firm of Perry, Johnson, Anderson, Miller and Moskowitz for the significant pro bono legal assistance provided. In addition to keeping the area clean of trash, neighbors donated their lots for staging as well as electrical and water. Coffey Strong, AshBritt, and Rebuild NorthBay are deeply grateful for the support of the City of Santa Rosa in navigating the process from beginning to end.

"The Hopper Walls Project represents how something great can be achieved when the private, public, and nonprofit sectors collaborate with neighborhood groups. This project, and others like it, provide tangible examples of hope and progress as well as reminders that we are in this rebuild together until every family is back home," said Henry Hansel, who serves on the Board of Directors for Rebuild NorthBay Foundation as well as being a major employer in the region.

Jeff Okrepkie, Coffey Strong founder and president stated, "The finalization of the construction of the walls is a momentous occasion for the parcel owners that directly about the wall, as well as those who live in Coffey Park. It's a symbol of the resilience and connection our community has developed since the fires. Coffey Strong is very grateful for our partners on this project: AshBritt Environmental and Rebuild NorthBay Foundation. We count ourselves as fortunate to have these partners and the cooperation of the City of Santa Rosa to accomplish this amazing work. It is important to recognize three people from within the Coffey Strong organization who were indispensable in the construction and completion of the wall: Project Manager Steve Rahmn, Anne Barbour, and Sasha Butler. We are thankful to all that donated time, funds, materials and energy into this project."

Background

After the devastating October 9, 2017 fires, it was discovered that the wall along the north and south side of Hopper Ave. was not public property but was owned by the homeowners that adjoined it. The cost of demolition and rebuilding placed a financial and logistical burden for the 42 homeowners along Hopper Ave. Coffey Strong wanted to help find a solution that would benefit the neighbors and provide a new "Gateway to Coffey Park." The total cost to remove, dispose and replace the fire-damaged wall was approximately $20,000.00 per homeowner with no guarantee of continuity from lot to lot. 

AshBritt contacted Rebuild NorthBay Foundation in late February of 2018 inquiring about projects that would have a meaningful impact on the community. Immediately, Rebuild Executive Director Jennifer Gray Thompson suggested the Coffey Park walls. AshBritt understood the practical and emotional imperative of completing this project and rose to the challenge. The in-kind donation from AshBritt and the support and partnership between Rebuild NorthBay Foundation and the incredible community of Coffey Strong allowed this to happen. 

Notably, the original estimate of $300,000 to replace the walls fell far short of the actual cost. In response, AshBritt increased their contribution to $450,000 for the Hopper Ave. In addition, AshBritt and its partners, APM Homes, D&S Awards, Farrow Construction, Mountain G. Engineering, Pacific Recycling Solutions and Econoline Signs, contributed an additional $100,000 to $200,000 in in-kind contributions relating to the demolition, hauling, and disposal of the existing wall. 

SOURCE AshBritt