When the president of New Hampshire environmental and specialty contracting firm Envirovantage learned that one of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing was virtually unable to maneuver himself into and around his family’s home in Concord, N.H., he eagerly accepted the opportunity to help.
“As soon as we were contacted about contributing our services to a major rehab of the family’s house, we were immediately ready to get started,” said Scott Knightly, president of Envirovantage and an officer in the National Demolition Association. “By helping Jeff [Bauman Jr.] and his family, we feel we’re doing our small part in supporting all of the victims of the horrific attack on Boston. This one really hit home for us.”
The image of Jeff Bauman Jr., who lost both of his legs in the attack as he waited on the finish line for his girlfriend to complete the race, has become an iconic symbol of the tragedy. While completing physical therapy at his mother’s home in Massachusetts, he was able to visit his father’s home only once because it was not wheelchair accessible.
Enter the Concord general contracting firm, Cobb Hill Construction, which got the ball rolling by reaching out to Jeff Bauman Jr.’s family, his family’s church, and a dedicated group of business volunteers. Their goal was to create an accessible new kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, as well as build a wheelchair ramp for the home.
During the early demolition process, where flooring and siding were being removed, Envirovantage of Epping, N.H., contributed its services, safely removing and disposing of hazardous asbestos materials which had been used in the home’s initial building process. Federal regulations require that all asbestos materials be managed by specially trained and licensed experts.
“For the last 27 years, we’ve been improving our asbestos abatement techniques and have worked with scores of contractors throughout New England, including Cobb Hill Construction,” Knightly said.
The contractor, which donates its services to charities throughout New England, also performed selective demolition on the rear porch area to open the back of the house for an addition.
Added Michael R. Taylor, executive director of the National Demolition Association, “We consider environmental stewardship to be an essential part of our mission. Projects like the one Envirovantage has undertaken is a great example of how our members exert a positive impact on the quality of life in our country.”
The renovation of the Bauman home, where Jeff Jr.’s two half-brothers also live, began in early August and is now complete. It’s enabled the young man to more easily enter through a wheelchair ramp and move from room to room in the newly adapted home.?
For more information, visit Envirovantage.com.
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