(FLINT, Mich. – October 24, 2013) Uptown Reinvestment Corporation (URC) announced today that contracts for the demolition of Flint’s tallest building Genesee Towers have been awarded and pre-work for demolition is progressing.
Flint-based Siwek Construction, a full-service contractor, construction management and design/ build company will oversee the project.
In addition, locally based sub-contractors Burnash Wrecking, Inc. and Certified Abatement Services Inc. have been selected as part of the demolition team. Burnash Wrecking is a family owned and operated company that specializes in commercial, industrial and residential demolition. Certified Abatement focuses on protocols related to asbestos, mold, and lead remediation and renovation.
Contract Drilling & Blasting, a nationally recognized implosion firm based in Jacksonville, Florida has been hired to handle implosion engineering and blasting efforts.
“I know everyone has been waiting to hear about next steps with the Towers,” said Tim Herman, President of Uptown Reinvestment Corporation and CEO of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce. “At this point, the plan is coming together nicely. We have put together a strong demolition team to help us bring down the building in a safe and responsible manner.”
According to Dave Lurvey, a consultant who is managing the project on behalf of Siwek Construction, the demolition team is fully engaged.
“The environmental abatement process should wrap up this week,” said Lurvey. “Once this process is complete, we can engage the implosion engineers.”
Over the next few weeks, meetings will be held with the demolition team, the City of Flint and other local stakeholders.
These meetings will focus on the development of site-specific safety and work plans, and coordination of all aspects of the project leading up to the implosion. “Everything is contingent upon these meetings,” said Lurvey. “If the planning goes smoothly, then we anticipate the implosion will occur in mid December – most likely on a Sunday afternoon.”
Flint and Genesee County citizens and others across the nation will have an opportunity to watch the demolition live, or on the news or the Internet.
“Given the overwhelming interest in this project, our goal is to offer a viewing area that is within the safe zone where the public can come out and watch this historic moment in time,” said Herman. “We’ll provide more details in the coming weeks.”
The implosion of Genesee Towers marks the first time in a decade that a building has been demolished by implosion in Genesee County.