A 70-year-old smokestack on the site of a former paper mill in West Michigan has been demolished.
The implosion left behind rubble and cloud of dust Tuesday, July 18, in Muskegon. The demolition of "Power House Stack No. 1" came amid concerns by city officials that it might collapse if left standing.
Police set up a perimeter around the site to keep onlookers safe from asbestos-laden dust. Officials had determined it was too dangerous to remove asbestos from the smokestack before demolition.
Pure Muskegon says stack demo went just as planned, Company received "all clear" on air tests, & roads near property open again. @wzzm13 pic.twitter.com/yxjxAL57nr
— Jon Mills (@JonMills20) July 18, 2017
Another smokestack, the 72-year-old "recovery boiler chimney," still stands at the former Sappi Paper Mill site. Crews will remove asbestos paint prior to demolition.
Plans call for the site to be transformed into the Windward Pointe mixed-use development.
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