The Load Out Continues...

While it's good to be back home, so much has happened in a week. I was out of town last week on vacation. When I left, the Smokestack was still over 100 feet tall. On my return, the crane was gone and it was down to about 10 feet with trucks loading out the rubble. I'd first like to thank my son, Derek, for all of his hard work in keeping the blog updated in my absence. Way to go, son! I'd also like to thank Smokestack Committee Chairman, Parmod Kumar, another homeowner for managing the project in my absence. He has been on invaluable assistance through this entire journey.

Demolition is currently "paused" with the Smokestack at about 10 feet. The rubble is being loaded out of the site to a local recycling facility. Nothing generated from the demolition will go to a landfill. It will take to the end of this week to finish the load out and to begin cutting the remainder of the Smokestack down to its memorial height.

Today the committee met to finalize the design of the plaque that will be installed at the memorial. One of our young residents did a fantastic job creating artwork that we will incorporate into the final design. I will be sharing that with you next week. A note of caution to souvenir hunters, we are still working on the plan for possible distribution of bricks. We ask that everyone PLEASE stay out of the site. We do have Security watching to keep all folks out due to the safety issues. We don't want anyone hurt. Until next time...

Mark Weinmann, Cowell Smokestack Project Manager

A Panoramic View of the Smokestack Site

The site of the Cowell Smokestack has changed dramatically over the last two weeks. First, our 235 foot smokestack was reduced down to about 10 feet. The ground is covered with a white dust. The are huge piles of rubble with spaghetti strewn rebar, cement chunk remnants, plaster, and a bricks. Again, great work to everyone involved with the journey to get to this point.

Thanks to Derek Weinmann for the panoramic photo of the site.

What's Next?

Picture by Duane Otis

With the actual Smokestack demolition coming to a close, the big question is, "What's Next?" First comes the haul off of the rubble. Concrete, bricks and rebar are being taken to a recycling facility. Some bricks are being saved until CHOA has made a final determination if we can distribute some as souvenirs to interested folks. Next week, the clean up of the Smokestack site will begin. It will take about a week to clean up all the rubble on site. After the clean up comes the construction of the monument. After the monument is built, fences will be taken down, landscape re-done and the project will be 100% complete. We will also be having a dedication and revealing of the monument plaque followed by a community celebration. More info to follow soon!

It's Almost Gone!

For more then seventy years, the Cowell Smokestack has stood watch over Concord. With the crane gone, part two of demo began. To date, the Smokestack has lost more than 200 feet leaving only about 10 feet remaining. The remants will be used to create the 2 foot high monument ring. We know that everyone will miss the Smokestack. It has a long past and history. Alomst seven years ago, the journey began with the discovery of damage. That journey is now culminating. It has been done swiftly and safely. We are proud of all of those involved and thank them for their efforts. The site will continue to be cleared so we can begin construction of the monument and restoration of the site.

Photographer's Wanted

Now that the Smokestack is gone, we want YOUR before and after photos of the smokestack! So please upload them. Winning photos will be used in articles and headlines! Please leave your name so we can give credit (first and last).

Entries due by June 29th.

Brick Survey Results

Thanks for voting! 181 (89%) people want a brick, 19 (9%) said they don't care, and 3 (1%) still haven't decided. More details on possible distribution of the brick will be forthcoming. Caution: please don't take brick or rubble from the site, it is still very unsafe and we don't want anyone getting hurt. Thanks!

Part Two of Demo

Part two of demolition begins tomorrow. But what exactly does "part two" consist of? With the crane demobilized, EBI will use an "excavator" (a tractor wil a long arm and bucket) to demolish the rest of the Smokestack. On top of the excavator will be a much smaller concrete pulverizer. The concrete pulverizer will "tap" one section of the tower at a time. The "tap" is fast and powerful. When complete, trucks will come load out the rubble from the site.

The Crane is DOWN!

After five days of being shadowed by a 250 ton crane, today June 24, 2009 the crane was demobilized. Demobilized basically means to take down. Workers began at 7:30am this morning. They brought in some new equipment for part two using the crane and then they took the crane down. After they began to clean up the sight a little. Tomorrow part two of demolition will begin.

Week Two Begins with News

The Cowell Smokestack project is back and running for week two. Already this week we have some important info. First we want to tell you all that the smokestack is now forty feet tall. Yea! Second, the crane will be demobilized (taken down) this Wednesday 6/24/09. We are a few days ahead of schedule. Take a look at how much the Smokestack has lost, you can almost not see it! Let's think last September the Smokestack stood watch over, but know nearly 5 days after the start of the project it is almost gone. The Smokestack has been "chewed" down nearly 195ft from the 235ft it was at. Great work every one!

Demo Week One Complete

The smokestack has stood watch over our city for more than seventy years; but through the last week it has slowly begun to disappear. The smokestack has lost over one-hundred feet already. Week one of demo has been great. Progress has been ahead of schedule.

I am very proud and humbled by the work of EBI and Bigge and their crew of men who work hard, fast, and safe to get the job done. I am also very proud of Ron Gaither from Swinerton who has manged this project excellently. I tip my hat to these guys and say, "Great work everyone."

I also found this really cool picture from Cowellian's site showing the week.s significant progress. Take a look!