ISU officials and consultants hired by the university to work on the implosion of Knapp and Storms halls fielded questions from concerned public and area property owners Tuesday.

After Knapp and Storms halls were taken out of service in 2003, the Board of Regents approved their demolition by implosion.

Because an implosion has never been attempted in Ames, the decision to destroy the two buildings has raised concerns from area property owners.

“I’m concerned about stuff falling off my walls, my foundation crumbling, dust covering my car and property, appropriately preparing for the implosion, what to do with my dogs, safely getting out of the area and then reversing the process when it’s all over,” said Ray England, Campustown resident. “I’m a little less skeptical about this project than before I came to this meeting … if safe is a 10, then the university is operating at a five,” he said.

Other residents raised questions about the effect of the buildings falling on surrounding properties and who would be accepting liability for any post-demolition problems.

“I feel the university is very prepared to handle the concerns brought up at tonight’s meeting,” said Todd Holcomb, interim director of the Department of Residence.

Holcomb said he thinks the university has done a wonderful job with the project so far, and he is confident in the consultants.

“The buildings are approximately 12 stories tall … made of poured, solid concrete,” said Dean McCormick, assistant director of construction services for facilities planning and management.

He said implosion is the controlled demolition of buildings that uses explosives to weaken the structure, using the buildings’ weight and gravity to bring them down in a confined area. He said the method was chosen because it is a quick and safe way to take down the buildings in one event that will take about 15 seconds for each building.

By using other methods, like a crane and wrecking ball to knock the buildings down, the project would require at least two 150-foot tall cranes, and a 200-foot wreckage zone that would take a minimum of three months for each building, McCormick said.

“The implosion will create a debris pile approximately 40 feet across and 35 feet high,” McCormick said. “A shield will be built around the project perimeter … to protect the surrounding area and minimize dust on site.”

Because the surrounding area is mainly comprised of residential properties, the project will be scheduled in the middle of the week when most people are at work, said Kerry Dixon-Fox, project manager for facilities planning and management. The project will occur between July 5 and 21, pending a successful bid, Board of Regents’ approval and a final contract, she said.