
January 2002 From National Sea Grant College Program Sea Grant project to be highlighted at Ocean Commission meetingCharleston, S.C. A 125-year old Charleston single-house that has become a successful public-education partnership led by the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium will be center-stage on Tuesday (Jan. 15, 2002). The "113 Calhoun Street Project" will be a featured case study presentation at the first regional hearing of the President's U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, January 15-16 at the College of Charleston's Physicians Memorial Auditorium. South Carolina Sea Grant Extension Program Leader Robert Bacon will present the case study showing how such a partnership between academia, and various government agencies is "providing a bridge to help transfer research-based information on hazard loss reduction from the laboratory to individual homeowners, small contractors, home inspectors, local government and others." Presenting a case study on how the National Sea Grant College program works, Bacon will demonstrate a successful process that identifies a need, develops an appropriate research protocol, translates that research, and then delivers it to the public in a useable manner. Bacon will cite a demonstration project, "113 Calhoun Street," that evolved from the need to reduce damage to structures during coastal storms, such as the $5 billion in damages resulting from Hurricane Hugo in 1989. At 113 Calhoun Street in Charleston, a renovated house serves as an example of how homeowners can reduce risks of damage from hurricanes and earthquakes. The 113 Calhoun Street structure was abandoned, storm damaged and falling down when it was donated in 1997 by the City of Charleston to the 113 Calhoun Street Foundation. Today the house serves as an educational model. It is operated by the foundation, a partnership established by the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, Clemson University Extension Service and the County and City of Charleston along with support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Additional support for the project has been provided by more than 40 individuals, businesses and non-governmental organizations. The award-winning house uses tools and techniques, educational activities and technical assistance programs to create community awareness. The house serves as a model for three important aspects of sustainable living: * Natural Hazards Mitigation, which demonstrates ways to minimize loss of life and property from the devastating effects of wind, floods and earthquakes.* Sustainable Building Practices, which stresses energy and water conservation, sustainable landscaping and building using recyclable and reusable materials.* Sustainable Living, which concentrates on reducing household hazardous waste, air and water quality and pest control.Inside the 125-year-old house, visitors find a laboratory, demonstration site, and classroom for hazard resistant building materials that are being developed by research institutions around the country. Through increased public awareness of available materials and of the need for such materials, homeowners can be better prepared for natural hazards when they occur. When Hurricane Hugo hit Charleston in 1989, 113 Calhoun Street was already in poor condition. But the storm brought it to near collapse. Using innovative construction practices, renovators were able to save the house and protect it from future storms. Evidence of the hazard protection elements used in the reconstruction can be found throughout the house. For example, builders used several methods to demonstrate different levels of window protection. This included aluminum colonial shutters that were custom-made for the house and provided better protection than wood or plastic shutters. Another benefit of the aluminum shutters is their ability to combine improved window protection with the need to maintain a historical look. Additional methods of window covering included roll-down aluminum window coverings, polycarbonate bubbles, which withstand an impact equivalent to a 2"x4" board traveling at 50 mph, and corrugated aluminum window coverings, which are cost-effective and can be installed from the inside. In order to protect the house from flood, builders used precautionary elements as well. Non-water absorbing insulation was installed on the first floor. Also, all wiring, including telephone, electric and computer outlets, was placed above the house's "Base Flood Level," and less-absorbent wainscoting replaced wallboard on the main floor. In re-building the foundation, the building was elevated by about one foot, producing a substantial flood protection benefit. Clemson University civil engineers calculated that raising the building a just a foot would reduce the probability of flood damage by about 60%. There are several examples of sustainable building practices incorporated into 113 Calhoun Street's renovations. To conserve building materials, original pieces were reused as much as possible. Existing heart pine, tongue and groove floors were refinished and placed back inside where possible. Also, unusable Cypress siding was replaced with a recycled material made from sawdust and concrete. The Center also demonstrates how people can better conserve natural resources. For example, in order to use water more efficiently, its landscaping includes native plants, drip irrigation and permeable paved surfaces that minimize run-off,. Bacon hopes his testimony about the 113 Calhoun Street project will have a strong impact on the Commission. He notes, "Effective extension education programs rely on current research - basic and applied. While scientists and engineers have learned a great deal about the nature and effects of coastal natural hazards in recent years, there is still more to learn. A strong Federal commitment to hazards research is needed to continue addressing the problems of natural hazards with effective extension education programs. There is a critical role for Sea Grant scientists and extension educators in finding and communicating solutions to these and other coastal hazards problems." The National Sea Grant College Program is a network of 30 university-based programs in coastal and Great Lake states involving more than 300 institutions nationwide in research, education and the transfer of technology regarding coastal, marine and Great Lakes issues. Sea Grant is supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce and NOAA in partnership with the states and private industry. Contacts For Additional Information: Linda Blackwell, Director of Communication, South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, 843-727-2078, E-mail: cseagrant.org Bob Bacon, Program Leader, South Carolina Sea Grant Extension Program, 843-27-2075, E-mail: scseagrant.org Beth Judge, Coastal Hazard Specialist, South Carolina. Sea Grant Extension Program, 843-27-6497, E-mail: [email protected] Featured Website: http://www.113calhoun.org |