Bob Roat
Bob Roat, long-time volunteer, has served as board president, worked on many committees, and has become an instrumental player in East Bay Habitat's commitment to green building. Bob Roat is a transplant from Rochester living in the Bay Area since 1980. He has his own practice as a registered civil engineer, specializing in environmental engineering. He is the father of Abby (almost 5) and the husband of Anna Marie. In his spare time, Bob prioritizes time with his family, doing things like camping, going to parks, and playing at the beach and in the snow.
How did you first get involved with East Bay Habitat?
I was a construction volunteer at the houses on 72nd street and 23rd Ave in Oakland. I was subsequently invited to a Humanifest event by John Sturman, a former board member. I guess I really got hooked at the west court of 105th, where I installed many of the earthquake tiedowns during one Build-a-thon. Paul Farrell, construction staff, found out that I was an environmental engineer, and asked for help with a CEQA negative declaration that EBH had to assist City with expediting before the east court of 105th could begin. I assisted EBH with that document at the beginning of 1997, and ended up as a Board member by the middle of the year. During the past eight years on the board, I have served on the Family Selection Committee, the Site Selection Committee, the Personnel Committee and served for 3 years as Board President.
What is your current role and level of involvement with us?
I just finished a five-month stint as interim board president after Ron Thompson, our previous president, moved to Seattle. I have also been involved with resolving environmental issues at the Fruitvale site, the Palm Court site and the 10900 Edes Avenue site.
What motivates you to continue with East Bay Habitat?
Simply put, I believe in the Habitat vision of a world in which no one has to live in poverty housing. I was originally drawn to the organization by the opportunity to be a construction volunteer, but was quickly drawn into the complex issues surrounding land development, low income housing and homeownership.
Why do you make volunteering for East Bay Habitat for Humanity a priority?
I feel that we are making a difference in the lives of families within our community.
What have been your most memorable experiences?
Serving on the Family Selection Committee, and visiting the homes of prospective homeowners. I continue to be in awe by many of these families, who struggle to stay afloat against some pretty daunting financial odds. I am also constantly humbled by the commitment of EBH staff, who work long hours at relatively low pay.
What are your future projects or goals at EBH?
I would like to see us expand our commitment to community development. In areas like the Sobrante Park neighborhood of East Oakland, or West Oakland, or North Richmond, there are many challenges that go beyond the need for housing. While we do not have the capacity to serve all needs, we need to expand our efforts to improve living conditions for all in these communities. Some ideas that are being discussed might be to establish or support community development banks specifically aimed at neighborhoods in which we work to assist local homeowners and landlords with property improvements, and to assist local residents with small business loans. Other ideas may include helping develop local childcare opportunities, or helping improve local schools.
How does the mission and philosophy of EBH fit in your own life values?
I was raised in a home and a church community that taught me the importance of faith, and the responsibility to give back to the community. EBH provides a tangible way to give back, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of Habitat.
Tell us about the environmental consultation you have done for EBH at Edes, Fruitvale and Palm Court?
Beginning with Fruitvale, EBH began to get involved with brownfields properties. The Fruitvale site had been a gasoline station at one time, although we were not aware of it when we started. Fortunately, the City of Oakland had overseen much of the cleanup. I was able to provide technical review of the environmental work for Habitat. We inherited the environmental issues at Palm Court when we received the site from Bridge Housing. With monetary assistance from the City of Oakland, we identified a pesticide, chlordane, as a problem in surface soils at the site. Working with consultants from Treadwell & Rollo and the environmental contractor PSEC, we were able to develop and implement a self-directed cleanup of the site to allow the development to proceed.
The Edes site was a different story. We had been looking for an additional site in Sobrante Park since 1999. The Edes site came up for sale. We knew it would have environmental issues, because it had been a truck dismantling and used part facility for many years. I helped review the preparation of environmental site assessments and environmental investigations of the site. The investigations found that surface soil contained concentrations of PCBs and lead which could pose a hazard to residents. I then assisted staff (mostly Jim Bergdoll) as needed to work with the State of California to secure a loan for cleanup and to prepare a workplan for cleanup, and with the US EPA to obtain one of the first Brownfields grants for site cleanup. In the course of the project, I have mostly served as a senior technical reviewer for EBH, but I also prepared the Health and Safety Plan and the Sampling and Analysis Plan for the site. The pro-bono work I performed helped EBH to qualify for the EPA grant.
What is your favorite job on the construction site?
I like framing, particularly second stories and roofs.
What is it like working with construction staff? With the AmeriCorps members?
Our staff is great. I am grateful to be able to work with them. The AmeriCorp folks have added stability and strength to our construction staff because they are on site long enough to learn skills and to take charge of crews. I think everyone should be an AmeriCorp member at least once in their lives!
What is it like working side by side with families who are completing their sweat equity hours?
It is, quite simply, a gift to work beside our families. It makes the hard work that goes into the projects worthwhile.
