Updated 07/28/2012 05:10 PM
Heritage Tower Implosion Complete
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County officials say the implosion of St. Ann's Community's Heritage tower went off without a hitch Saturday morning.
While most of the area was secured and shut off to spectators, crowds still gathered to see the 20,000 ton tower come tumbling down.
"It just went straight down," said Sophia Palumbo.
The Palumbo triplets had as close as they could to a front row seat to see the action.
"It was really cool to see something explode," said Isabella Palumbo.
But for some that crowded the other side of Route 104 to watch, there were memories in that tower. Members of the Oliveri family say their mother lived in the Heritage tower for five years.
"For me it was sad. Because it's part of my mother's history that went down before her demise," Sandra Oliveri Jurczeynski.
"It was exciting. It went fast and just happy no one got hurt," Tony Oliveri.
That was the goal of the dozen plus emergency agencies that played a part in making sure the implosion went off without a hitch.
"You've got a 19 story building coming down in the middle of a residential area. You've got exposure to a nursing home. You've got exposure to a hospital. A lot of things had to click in order of things to go correctly," said Monroe County Deputy Fire Coordinator Mark Cholack.
Cholack says nearly 70 residents were evacuated from their home.
"We are actually telling people if they have a problem they can get a hold of Controlled Demolition Incorporated who are the contractors for St. Ann's. They are actually taking care of all the clean up process which is currently underway on the St. Ann's property themselves," Cholack said.
A clean up crew chased the dust that fell on roads and in nearby neighborhoods.
"With this implosion it wasn't too bad. The rain and wind helped things out. Typically that dust travels for miles," Frank Spezio, owner of Spezio Property Services.
And now that it's over, officials say there should be no cause for environmental and safety concerns as the clean up process begins and construction on St. Ann's two year renovation project continues.