Introduction to Damen Silos Demolition
The owner of the Damen Silos has been given the go-ahead by the city to resume demolition of the historic structures after the work was paused last week due to concerns about harmful dust leaving the site.
Background on the Demolition Process
Heneghan Wrecking, the contractor for owner Michael Tadin Jr., was given the green light to continue demolition on Wednesday, according to city health officials. City officials said they were concerned about the potential for excess dust and asked for a revised plan to contain it. The Chicago Department of Public health halted the demolition on South Damen Avenue along the Chicago River a week ago and asked for the dust plan as the final phase of demolition begins. Only two silos remain as of Wednesday morning.
Approval of the Dust-Mitigation Plan
“The updated dust-mitigation plan was approved,” the department said in a statement, “and all demolition activities were approved to resume today, October 8.” The demolition began in July after a lengthy review process by public health officials and the city’s Department of Buildings. Both city departments have inspectors on site to monitor.
Owner and Demolition Details
Tadin, a city contractor who also owns MAT Asphalt in McKinley Park, bought the long-shuttered grain silos from Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration in 2022. The silos and more than 20 acres surrounding them are owned by Tadin’s family through an entity separate from the asphalt operation. He declined to comment.
Environmental Concerns
The demolition is deemed “environmentally complex” by the city due to its size and potential for environmental harm. The city code related to demolitions was changed after a 2020 debacle in Little Village involving a nearly 400-foot smokestack at the former Crawford coal plant. Failure to control the dust resulted after the chimney was imploded, came crashing down and covered the community in a thick blanket of dust, creating a serious health hazard.
Previous Incidents and Precautions
The developer Hilco and its contractors settled a more than $12 million class-action lawsuit over that botched operation. There are no implosions allowed by the city for the Damen Silos. The silos have long been a highly visible fixture on the Southwest Side just north of the Stevenson Expressway. They were featured in the 2014 Hollywood movie “Transformers: Age of Extinction.” Efforts to preserve them fell short as Tadin said they did not fit his yet-to-be-announced plans for the industrial-zoned area.
Conclusion
The resumption of the Damen Silos demolition marks a significant step in the redevelopment of the area, albeit with stringent controls to mitigate environmental harm. The city’s oversight and the implementation of a dust-mitigation plan aim to prevent the kind of disaster seen in Little Village, ensuring a safer process for both the workers and the surrounding community.
FAQs
- Q: Why was the demolition of the Damen Silos paused?
A: The demolition was paused due to concerns about harmful dust leaving the site. - Q: What was required for the demolition to resume?
A: The owner had to submit an updated dust-mitigation plan, which was approved by the city. - Q: What is the current status of the demolition?
A: The demolition has resumed, with only two silos remaining as of the latest update. - Q: Are there any precautions in place to prevent environmental harm?
A: Yes, the city has inspectors on site to monitor, and implosions are not allowed for the Damen Silos. - Q: What happened in the previous incident in Little Village?
A: A smokestack implosion covered the community in a thick blanket of dust, leading to a serious health hazard and a subsequent $12 million class-action lawsuit settlement.
