by Stephen T. Watson, Buffalo News (NY)

For a century, critics say, the Tonawanda Coke plant released toxins that spread into the air and water throughout the surrounding neighborhoods.

It should take just 15 seconds to bring down the plant’s most visible features – three towering smokestacks – in a controlled implosion shortly after sunrise Saturday. 

It’ll come as a milestone in the transformation of the sprawling brownfield site.

“Our state was built on these industries. And they are perfectly suited for the industry of tomorrow,” said developer Jon M. Williams as he drove a Buffalo News reporter and photographer on a recent tour of the property. “You’ve got water. You’ve got power. You’ve got transportation. And you’ve got scale.”

…

For the entire article, see

https://buffalonews.com/news/local/demolition-of-smokestacks-a-milestone-in-tonawanda-coke-cleanup-but-much-more-work-to-be/article_96a9d8ca-c014-11eb-a8af-7786b2daed77.html

Posted June 10, 2021