History

Getting Started

LBC was formally founded in 2011 by a group of passionate volunteers who wanted to help Atlanta tackle its overwhelming solid waste problem by building the infrastructure needed to redirect reusable materials away from landfills and back into the local community. LBC’s founders were Adam Deck and Shannon Goodman. Shannon Goodman is currently serving as LBC’s Executive Director.

Adam Deck, Co-Founder and Former Director of Operations

Adam Deck previously managed one of the largest retail building material reuse centers in the country and then spent five years at Southface Energy Institute working in both residential and commercial programs. Never far from his passion for material reuse, Adam developed a business plan to introduce it at a new level to the Atlanta market. Persistently sharing that plan with anyone who would listen, he established a foundation of support in the environmental, sustainability and construction communities and eventually met future co-founder Shannon Goodman.
Adam continued to build those relationships for material donations, including Georgia’s booming film industry, and established a retail center to reintroduce the materials to the community. A true entrepreneur and visionary, Adam served as LBC’s Executive Director until 2012 and served as Director of Operations from 2012 through 2017.

Shannon Goodman, Co-Founder and Executive Director

Prior to joining LBC as Executive Director in 2012, Shannon Goodman spent 13 years working as an architect, most recently with Perkins+Will. After coordinating the donation of 62 tons of building materials from Perkins+Will’s office renovation in 2009, Shannon helped formally establish LBC in 2010 and served as LBC Board Chair until 2012.
Shannon’s efforts to establish the organization beyond operations, including fundraising, marketing and broad community engagement, have led LBC through a period of remarkable growth and to a strong financial position. Shannon continues to serve LBC’s Executive Director.

The Building

We are often asked, "What did this building used to be?" Our building is the heart of our organization & we want to share its story.

Lifecycle Building Center’s facility is comprised of two buildings totaling 70,000 square feet in area on a 3.6 acre site located in the area of Atlanta known as “Murphy Triangle.” The building was part of the historic industrial corridor along Murphy Avenue and is one of the few buildings left from this era. The oldest structure on the site was built in 1914, with later phases constructed in 1918 and 1935. A metal Butler building was erected adjacent to the original structure in 1966.

The property at 1116 Murphy Avenue was initially used as a foundry operation for Bailey Burruss Company until 1932, and then used as a sprocket production facility by the conveyor belt and machinery manufacturer Link-Belt Corporation until 1971. The facility continued to be used for manufacturing and distribution through the 1980’s. After that time, the buildings were occupied with various commercial businesses, including PT Components, DMC Atlanta and D&D Diesel Service.

Over the years, the property has served as a film location for several projects, including the 2011 remake of Footloose, the 2016 film Term Life, as well as two TV series, The Walking Dead and the 2016 remake of MacGyver

Investing In Our Future

In September of 2016, LBC acquired the 1116 Murphy Avenue property with help from many partners, supporters and the broader community. The warehouse was at great risk of being demolished before LBC purchased the facility in order to establish long-term operations while also preserving its historic character and industrial legacy.

The Kendeda Fund, Atlantic Capital Bank and Alston & Bird all played an integral role in the acquisition process by designing and implementing a unique financing structure which enabled LBC to purchase the property. The City of Atlanta and the Environmental Protection Agency were also instrumental partners, providing LBC with over $80,000 in environmental assessment funding prior to purchase. These assessment grants, along with a lead-based paint remediation effort executed in partnership with Georgia Works and Kemron, formed the basis for a $200,000 EPA Brownfield Cleanup grant application, which was awarded to LBC in May of 2017.

In 2017, LBC initiated a capital campaign feasibility study with Coxe Curry & Associates, which culminated in June 2018. LBC plans to begin renovations to the facility in 2019.