University of Alabama starts demolition of Central Plant smokestack
The UA board of trustees approved plans in February to demolish the 73 metre (240-foot) high smokestack because of the rising cost of upkeep.
University spokeswoman Cathy Andreen said the cost of demolition is approximately $225,000. “The smokestack was in a deteriorating state, with bulges between the upper bands, weakening of the mortar joints, discoloration of the upper area, a rusted cast iron cap, and corrosion of the steel tension bands,” Andreen said.
Demolition will save $85,000 every 5 to 10 years in scheduled maintenance costs. Repairing the smokestack, which has been dormant for six years, in its current condition would cost $125,000.
The demolition is expected to be complete by the end of the month.
The 6.75 metre (22-foot) wide smokestack was built in 1965 to vent exhaust from the university’s coal-fired boilers. The smokestack, considered an eyesore in part because of the billows of smoke that came out of the top, was removed from service in 2004 and replaced by a modern, more energy-efficient exhaust system.
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