Like many cities and towns across the Midwest, a city north of Chicago had to cut down thousands of ash trees due to infestation by an insect called the emerald ash borer. Although this was a tragedy in many ways, the public works department had the foresight to keep the trunks of many of the larger trees in hopes that something positive might come out of the situation.
When the time came to plan and construct a new police facility, the planning team knew they wanted the new building to help build strong, positive connections with the community. They designed a large room for community meetings and other gatherings, and they realized that the lumber from the ash trees could be reclaimed and used in a variety of ways. The lumber was used for unique paneling and tables in the community room and elsewhere in the building.
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