Fire-ravaged meat packing plant demolition in question

Dec 14, 2009

The Sinclair meat packing plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa suffered a massive fire at the end of July. Some material was found to be still smoldering as recently as the first week of November. Some of the buildings at the old meat packing plant date back to 1919, while the site itself dates back to 1872. Fire damage has made demolition of the site necessary, but the question is how the work will be completed.

There are two options for demolition, both of which are costly and beyond the city’s budget. The first option would take one year and $20 million to complete. The other option would require three years and $100 million. Either option is eligible for funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but FEMA has yet to announce its decision. Cedar Rapids hopes to hear from FEMA by next spring.

The faster, easier method of demolition would involve lifting the buildings to walk through and remove asbestos and other hazardous materials from underneath and throughout the floors, but time, water and fire have made it impossible to use that method for at least one of the major buildings on site. The slower, more expensive method is the old “ball and chain” method, where the building gets knocked down and every piece of the wreckage must be treated as hazardous material.

Engineers should know which option will be best as early as December, but the final decision must be made by FEMA. The city is still waiting to hear how much money they will be collecting from insurance due to the fire.

For the full story, go to KCRG.

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