Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
UP IN SMOKE
Smokestacks from former Sonoco paper mill demolished to pave way for new development
DOWNINGTOWN » The two smokestacks from the old Sonoco paper mill plant at Boot Road and Route 322 were brought down in a controlled series of explosions Friday morning.
Construction officials and local politicians were on hand as local residents turned out to watch the milestone in the history of Downingtown.
“It’s been here my entire life, it’s a stable of the scene,” said Jillian Hosey of West Chester who was there with her son, Tommy. “It’s kind of exciting but its bittersweet. He’s very excited.”
“It’s not often you have such excitement for a development,” said developer Michael Hankin, COO of the Hankin Group as he spoke about the plans for the mixed-use transit oriented development.
Hankin Group acquired 68 acres in Downingtown and East Caln Township with plans to
build 442 residential units atop 14,200 square feet of retail space. In addition, the development will feature a pedestrian bridge connecting Downingtown’s Johnsontown Park to the east bank of the Brandywine Creek and a trail system that links to the proposed extension of the Chester Valley Trail system. It will also include over 100,000 square-feet of commercial office space.
In April 2016, candidate Donald Trump stirred anger when he tweeted a photo of the mill with the comment: “Passing what was once a vibrant manufacturing area in Pennsylvania. So sad! #Make America Great Again”.
Most of the property had already been cleared in the past months by Haines & Kibblehouse Demolition took place on just the two smokestacks, one 219 feet tall made of concrete and the second 98 feet tall made of bricks remaining. A building near the tracks also has not yet been demolished.
“It’s like cutting a tree down,” said John Mast, spokesperson for B &K Group, parent company of Haines & Kibblehouse. “We went in earlier and cut out strategic points in the structures, then loaded in dynamite. We then blew out the remaining structure out of the stack.”
Mast said the smaller stack went first followed quickly by the taller tower. Both fell exactly as planned, away from the Amtrak train tracks. The timing of the explosion was worked out with the railroad to avoid any train being in the area.
Downingtown police closed Route 322 as people gathered in front of the Wawa and along the empty lot across the road to watch the event.
Downingtown firefighters stood by and shortly before the explosion, police sounded their siren to alert the coming blast. A contractor set off the blast from the safety of the remaining building near the road that has not been demolished yet, Mast said.
As explosives rocked the brick stack, it crumbled and quickly passed the taller stack which fell in a graceful arc. Both were on the ground in ten seconds.
Demolition material will go to a crusher on site and recycled for use on the redeveloped site, said Mast.
“The only stuff going to a landfill would be trash such as carpet,” said Mast. ”We will mitigate the debris dust with water suppression.”
“This is part of the process of restoring the heart of Downingtown,” said Chester County commissioner Michele Kichline who pointed out that projections call for a 30 percent more in population in the county by 2045.” Our plan is to investment in our urban centers.”
“It doesn’t take long does it,” said John McGurkin following the explosion. “It’s already better.”