Friends,
The number one question asked by community members these past few weeks is: How will the big buildings come down? Will they be imploded? Well, the answer is no. We investigated it. The cost savings were just not there, and the liability concerns were also a big factor in our decision to go with the tried-and-true methods of using a wrecking ball and hydraulic crushers. It is cost effective and much safer than using dynamite…just not quite as fast.
A big crane (an American 9260 model) was delivered to the site last week. It came on several semi-trucks and will likely be put together in the coming week. This 300,000 lb. machine should be enough to get the job done!
Cleanup contractors continue to make good progress at the site. The buildings have now been cleared of an estimated 90% of all remaining asbestos. Several of them are now fully prepared for demolition to begin. Coordination with the contractors has been excellent and we anticipate that July will be the month when the big demolition begins.
We are not certain of the building demolition sequence just yet, but we will be sure to keep everyone informed. We do know that the silos and headhouse will be the last to go. Cleanup crews are about one-third complete with the silver paint removal project prior to demolition. They will remain on-site completing this job for another two months. With the paint removed, we can then demolish the silos and recycle the estimated 70,000 tons of concrete used in their construction. A big cost savings for the overall project!
Thanks for being a part of this important community project.
~ Team Pillsbury