TONAWANDA (WBEN) - In the latest efforts to clean up the Tonawanda Coke site, the old stacks are scheduled for a controlled demolition early Saturday morning.
Riverview Innovation and Technology Campus now owns the site, and they are responsible for the demolition, as it is not a requirement for the ongoing Brownfield cleanup.
"The three stacks, which are made of masonry, concrete, and steel, are being demolished because they are old and unsafe," according to a press release from RITC. "Asbestos containing materials have been removed and the interiors of the stacks have been inspected and sampled. There were no significant accumulations of dust or other particulates."
Jackie James has been one of the leading activist voices in opposition to Tonawanda Coke for nearly two decades, and she explained the symbolic importance of the demolition and what it means to the community going forward.
"This has been over a 16-year fight really to win back our right for clean air," said James. "Those stacks represented a significant threat to that right, and when we finally see those stacks gone, we'll all (share) a sigh of relief."
So far, the cleanup of the site has resulted in the removal of more than 4,000 tons of waste, asbestos containing materials, and scrap from previous operations. Thirteen above ground tanks have been emptied and demolished and transported offsite for proper disposal, and more than 2,000 drums and containers of chemicals have been removed from the site.
James had the opportunity to tour the site a few weeks back, and she was "astounded" by what she saw, saying they are very happy with how the cleanup is progressing.
"This is significant and hopefully the end of the story," said James. "Those stacks represented a lot of death and destruction in our community, and it will be significant when we look at our skyline and don't see those stacks anymore."
