Renovation update: Q2 2026
- 47 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Chaos continues!
The deconstruction that began in our historic engine hall of the firehouse is continuing. The portions of the historic tin ceiling that were carefully removed to space for electrical conduit have (mostly) been replaced. We have to wait until new lights and ceiling fans arrive before we can start closing the rest of them up.
Da roof, da roof, da roof is on the firehouse
Our entire roof over the Indoor Victory Garden (IVG) was replaced with TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin).. We opted for TPO in large part because it has a highly reflective surface that should reduce cooling costs in the summer, and unlike a "traditional" asphalt roof the material is actually recyclable when it does reach it's end of life. Since TPO is more vulnerable to punctures than asphalt, we will have to be much more careful when going out on the roof! One thing that will help with this is the installation of a small roof deck, which will allow people to go out and check out the solar PV inverter, get a closer look at a bee hive, or just get some fresh air. The roof also got some new insulation to help with efficiency; we saved materials from going in the landfill by reusing some of the existing insulation that was in place and still in good shape.
A new back yard in Back of the Yards
The yard next to our building got a major new look! We installed a new concrete walk to replace the cracked and skinny walkway. The contractors were able to leave some of the old concrete in place and the rest went to be recycled. This new walk means that our entire walkway from front to back is now fully ADA accessible, which includes improving access to raised growing beds.
We finally brought down the chain link fence and old barbed wire surrounding our yard! That barbed wire was a vestige of another owner and decade (or century). We replaced it with a beautiful cedar fence and a more accessible (and functional) set of gates. Even better, the old fence is going to be reused by two of our close partners. Some of the fence went down the street to our friends at Southside Social and the rest will find a new home at Cedillo's Fresh Produce.
Finally, with the help of volunteers and the summer youth interns, new raised beds are being installed in the yard.
Janiya and Mali, two of our ASM summer interns, are assembling 1 of 3 new garden beds for our youth program!
PC: Phoenix Arana
Before and after in the yard -- New accessible sidewalk concrete and lots of reorganizing!
Windows into our soul... and to the outside world!
The long anticipated first floor windows started to go in! A previous owner had bricked up all of the windows on the first floor, making our building look a little unfriendly from the outside. These new windows are going to allow for Southern light to come into our space for the first time in close to 50 years. New street trees are scheduled to be planted along our parkway, which will provide shade in the summer. We are so excited to be able to see the outdoors from our retail space!
PC: Phoenix Arana
Upcoming work
We continue to been in a bit of a holding pattern with other major work, especially in our indoor farm.
It’s not too late to support the only shared indoor community garden in Back of the Yards! Donors of $500 or more can choose to have their donation memorialized in our Firehouse by adorning an interior glazed brick with their name.