Visalia Building Police Stations Out of Straw

Friday, March 24, 2006

March 24, 2006 -- It's a new approach toward building that sounds like a warning from a fairy tale. South Valley builders are starting to use straw and police are getting many of the benefits.

Measure T's quarter-cent sales tax has gone a long way in hiring more police officers in Visalia. But now, a new energy efficient project could do the same.

Most people would just lay it out for the horses. But these days, straw is being used to build homes all over Valley.

"It gets stucco over the exterior of it and the interior, so when it's completed it will look like just a normal home. You wouldn't know its straw bale," said Visalia builder Stuart Rigney.

Used as insulation, straw is energy efficient and can cut heating and cooling costs up to 50%. It's enough savings to turn heads in Visalia.

Right now, the city is planning to build its two new police substations out of straw.

"The city is very interested in being a leader in energy efficiency," said Sharon Sheltzer, from Visalia Redevelopment.

"We have about a million pounds of rice straw that's produced in California each year, so presently only about 5% of it is being used for constructive purposes," said Sheltzer.

Built in Visalia's east downtown and near Packwood Creek, the two new buildings will be the first straw bale police stations in California.

Builders say no need to worry about their sturdiness.

City officials don't know exactly how much money they will save with the new buildings. But with rising energy costs, they know it will be a lot.

They say one thing is for sure — a little bit of straw could go a long way in getting more police officers in Visalia.

The new police substations will be completed by this time next year.

The city says they've designed the buildings with about a dozen other energy saving materials. All together, they predict they could cut energy bills by 50%.

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