Thieves mar Orem road project

OREM — Demolition and salvaging aren't uncommon sights along 800 North in Orem these days as the Utah Department of Transportation razes some 50 vacant houses and buildings to widen the avenue between 400 West and 1100 East.

But the pilfering, scrounging and stealing after hours are getting the attention of UDOT representatives, police and even one charity.

"People are kicking in doors so they can salvage a 65-cent light cover," said Travis Pearce, UDOT's property manager for the project. "They will go and break in and steal a copper pipe and leave the water running."

Pearce's message for the public: "Stay away from our property."

This isn't your typical stolen-trash nuisance. Although UDOT will eventually demolish the residences along the north side of 800 North, the theft causes harm.

First UDOT, which has purchased most of the properties along the north side of the route over the past several years, must bring in work crews to fix the mess and make the properties safe.

Also, a charity loses because the items that were stolen would have gone to help people who need housing in Utah County.

Orem police have started patrolling the area more and working with residents who report break-ins at the vacant homes.

UDOT gave Habitat for Humanity of Utah County the right to salvage any usable items, which the group sells to raise funds to build need-based housing.

Yet even with the vandalism news, the project continues to progress, especially for Habitat for Humanity, which benefits from the usable salvaged remains.

Here's how it works. Once environmental inspectors determine each property is safe and free from threats such as asbestos, Habitat for Humanity can take anything usable it wants, including cabinets, sinks and toilets.

Then the group sells those items to the general public in its Restore Store at a discount, usually 50 to 60 percent off the retail price. The proceeds fund the group's building program for need-based individuals and families.

"We're not taking it down to the bare minimum," said Kena Jo Mathews, executive director of Habitat for Humanity's Utah County office. "We're not taking out wood. We do doors, windows (but) we've lost lots of items that could be salvaged."

Roughly every two weeks a group of Habitat for Humanity staff and volunteers numbering between 25 and 75 salvage the latest remains on 800 North.

"Oftentimes you don't think of things that you can do and then someone else has the willingness to help other people," Mathews said of UDOT's decision to give them salvage rights. "We were very grateful."