by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Despite finding more asbestos than originally expected, City engineers and demolition experts have decided — for now — to proceed as planned with scheduled June 26 implosion of the Coliseum.
After the last high school graduations last week, officials from Pensacola-based D.H. Griffin Wrecking Co. almost immediately started asbestos abatement. Because they found higher than expected levels, questions were raised as to exactly when the Coliseum would be ready for implosion. After meeting with Better Jacksonville Plan officials and City engineers, Griffin has decided they can still raze the building June 26, the same day Mayor John Delaney will officially dedicate the new $130 million arena.
“Construction is a fluid process and there are lots of changes, especially with a building built in the 1950s,” said Better Jacksonville spokesperson Lisa Rowe. “The demolition contractor is confident we will make the deadline. He may have to work some longer days to make it, though.
“We will meet every Wednesday to discuss the issue. There is definitely a small chance there could be a change of plans. But we don’t anticipate that. We have looked at every scenario.”
Another potential concern arose when it was discovered trailers belonging to Barton Mallow — the construction manager for the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville — may not be off-site by June 9. Rowe said issue has been addressed and the trailers will be moved a safe distance from the Coliseum.
Better Jacksonville officials are also still working on the specifics associated with the June 26 festivities, namely who will be invited to view the implosion from the upper level of the new arena and exactly how far from the implosion everyone will need to be. Originally, officials planned to establish a perimeter of a 1,000-foot radius for safe viewing. Realizing this distance would exclude arena viewing, ways to reduce the distance or safeguard onlookers are being explored.
Regardless, City officials want the Coliseum demolished as soon as possible and, Rowe said, not simply for the sake of creating a major event late next month or assuring Delaney is still in office when the implosion happens.
“We want it cleared out in time for parking for the Jaguars games,” said Rowe. “We are not pushing it just meet a deadline.”
The actual implosion will be done by Demolition Dynamics out of Nashville and Delaney will do the honors of pushing the button.
Rowe said the public is invited to attend, but to remember that it is a construction site and to dress accordingly.