New Zealand officials set to eschew implosion option over quake trigger fears.
A long-awaited demolition plan for Christchurch’s Hotel Grand Chancellor will be unveiled tomorrow morning; and DemolitionNews understands that explosive demolition will not be the preferred option.
Earthquake recovery minister Gerry Brownlee will unveil the plan for the 27-storey plan tomorrow morning after a statement is made on the future of Lyttelton port. It is understood that a decision on the future of Godley House in Diamond Harbour will also be announced tomorrow.
Huge speculation has surrounded the future of the Hotel Grand Chancellor, left severely damaged and on a lean since the February 22 earthquake.
Some commentators have called for the 27-storey building to be imploded, while others have urged it be deconstructed carefully to protect surrounding businesses. DemolitionNews understands that officials will choose the deconstruction option over fears that an implosion might trigger further aftershocks.
The plan will be publicly announced by Brownlee at 11.30am tomorrow. Brownlee said he would detail the long-awaited demolition plan for the quake-wrecked hotel at the Wednesday morning briefing.
The announcement will take place within the red zone, near the hotel with journalists and photographers advised to bring their own hard hats and high-visibility vests.
Last week, Frank Delli Cicchi, the general manager (New Zealand and Australia) of the Singaporean Hotel Grand Central group, which owns the Christchurch hotel, said the company had worked with the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) to agree a plan.
Tenders were lodged about five weeks ago.
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