Incinerator to be demolished with controlled implosion
Crews are planning a controlled implosion next weekend of the controversial solid-waste incinerator in Detroit, which was shut down after exceeding pollution emissions standards.
Mayor Mike Duggan alongside city officials last year announced plans to demolish the former Detroit Renewable Power facility, which burned 5,000 tons of trash per day for 30 years. Implosion of the facility’s conspicuous smokestack will occur the morning of June 11.
The company shut down in 2019 after pressure from the city and heavy criticism from neighbors over pungent odors and respiratory issues.
“I don’t think there was a week to go by that somebody didn’t call me or email me and talk about the terrible odors that were emanating from here,” Duggan said at a May 2022 announcement.
Here is what to know:
What is the incinerator?
The massive incinerator opened in 1989 at a cost of about $500 million and burn tons of trash daily. The 15-acre site is located at 5700 Russell St., south of Interstate 94 and east of I-75. Since its closing, trash has been taken to landfills outside city limits.
Future of the site
City officials are still determining development plans. However, last May, Detroit Building Authority Director Tyrone Clifton said the structure bordering Russell Street is expected to house a new animal care and control center, while those on the Ferry Street side will remain for adaptive reuse.
Who is demolishing the site?
Oklahoma-based Dykon Explosive Demolition will tear down the smokestack with controlled explosives, which are expected to drop the tower westerly on the incinerator property, away from the nearest residential area. Hazardous materials inside the complex have been removed and properly disposed, according to the city.
Homrich Wrecking is contracted to demolish the majority of the property. CEO Scott Homrich previously told the Free Press demolition of the entire site could cost about $10 million. As part of its contract, the company is selling scrap metals from the facility, generating about $1.3 million that will go to costs, according to the city. Any excess proceeds will go to the Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Authority.
Can anyone watch?
From a distance, yes. Both Ferry and Russell streets will be closed and crews will identify exclusion zones of about 1,000 square feet for safety purposes. Media will also have a staging area.
Safety for residents
City officials suggest that nearby residents keep their windows closed as a precaution. Crews plan to mist machines with water before, during and after the implosion to contain dust.
Crews will check the air quality before and after the implosion and clean up the roads and sidewalks upon completion.
Yearslong agony
Residents have dreaded the effects of the controversial incinerator and keeping their windows sealed was a long-time norm for some. For years, they complained to the city about the impacts.
Several residents in the neighborhood were hesitant to let their children outside due to the strong stench and potential effect on respiratory health. Others experienced breathing issues throughout the years.
“The full demolition of the incinerator is a relief to many people in the city,” Clifton said in a statement. “We owe it to them to remove this unwanted structure from their community in as safe a manner as possible, and we have the best team in place to do that.”
The city in April began notifying residents of the upcoming smokestack demolition.