Knapp and Storms to be imploded signaling the End of an Era
July 18, 2005
After 39 years, Knapp and Storms Halls are hosting their final party Tuesday. Aided by approximately 120 pounds of explosives, the towers should take less than a minute to collapse in on themselves at 10 a.m.
Heavy dust from the buildings, which has played host to 42,000 dorm-dwellers since opening in 1966, should settle within five minutes, leaving spectators with their memories and a 40-foot pile of debris.
“We’re prepared for whatever crowd size shows up,” said Dean McCormick, assistant director of construction services for facilities planning and management.
Towers Demolition Timeline
December 2004
The Iowa Board of Regents approves the demolition of Knapp and Storms Halls.
April 19, 2005
Facilities Panning and Management personnel discuss the implosion with concerned residents of the area.
May 26, 2005
After over a week of bid analysis, the $1,482,500 contract is given to Peterson Contractors Inc. of Reinbeck.
May 26, 2005
Ames firefighters use the towers to practice high-rise firefighting techniques.
July 6, 2005
The implosion date is announced as July 19, subject to change by the contractor.
July 17, 2005
Explosives for the demolition are brought on-site, and guarded 24-hours a day by police. Contractors had spent the past several weeks preparing the site by drilling holes for the explosives and gutting the buildings.
Kerry Dixon-Fox, architect for facilities planning and management, said demolition subcontractor Controlled Demolitions Inc. of Phoenix, Md. said approximately 5,000 spectators typically show up to implosions, although spectators are not encouraged.
“This isn’t an entertainment event,” she said. “It’s not a football game.”
According to ISU News Service, alcohol and overnight camping are prohibited, although spectators will be let on-site at daybreak. Spectators can watch from fields to the east or west of Towers, depending on wind direction.
The Ames Police Department and ISU Police will be on-hand for crowd control.
Dixon-Fox said about 1,000 holes for 60 pounds of various types of explosives have been drilled in each building. Explosives are present on the ground, second, fourth and seventh floors, which are circled with black fabric to prevent flying debris.
Debris from the 129-foot buildings, two of the tallest in Ames, is planned to be used in the parking lot of the new dairy farm facility south of Ames — remaining debris should be recycled and landfilled by contractor Peterson Contractors Inc. of Reinbeck.
Clear skies are predicted Tuesday with winds blowing to the south at 5 mph. Temperatures are expected to be 90 degrees, with a 10 percent chance of rain.
No restrooms will be available at the demolition site.
