The Avon Lake Environmental Redevelopment Group says the implosion is set to take place within 30 minutes of 5:08 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19.
CLEVELAND — The final implosion of the Avon Lake Power Plant will take place on Thursday morning.
The Avon Lake Environmental Redevelopment Group (ALERG) informed the city about the planned “controlled implosion” of five buildings on the former plant site on Thursday, Dec. 17 in the early morning.
Residents were notified that the implosion will happen within 30 minutes of 5:08 a.m.
To receive alerts about the implosion, residents can sign up at www.AvonLake.org/Alert or contact City Hall at 440-933-6141. Paper forms are also available at City Hall and the public library.
During the demolition, Lake Road will be closed between Miller Road and Moore Road for approximately an hour. A 1,700-foot “exclusion zone” will be established around the site. City officials have advised residents to stay indoors, shut all windows and doors, and use HVAC filters to reduce exposure to dust.
According to city officials, ALERG is collaborating with local authorities, including the Avon Lake Police and Fire Departments, Avon Lake Regional Water, Ohio’s Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure a “safe and efficient demolition process.”
“I understand there are questions and concerns from the community,” Avon Lake Mayor Mark Spaetzel said in a statement on Wednesday. “There must be a balance between their ready condition and the most favorable, even if not ideal, weather condition.”
Avon Lake officials said ALERG has taken comprehensive steps to protect the city’s air quality.
“All hazardous materials, including asbestos, have been removed from the site, and dust suppression measures will be in place,” the city said in a press release. “In addition to seismic monitoring, air quality monitoring will be conducted before, during, and after the event.”
ALERG leaders scheduled the implosion after determining that Thursday morning is the best time to conduct the event.
“In addition, considering all circumstances, including structural changes and explosive placements, delaying the event at this point adds risks that can be avoided by conducting the event tomorrow in a safe and controlled manner,” ALERG officials added.
Previous implosion took place in July
ALERG previously conducted implosions at the site on July 30. That day, the city issued an alert at 5:08 a.m. and the implosion took place at about 5:40 a.m. The site was deemed safe and clear and normal operations resumed about an hour later.
Before the July implosion, more than 100 residents packed an Avon Lake City Council meeting to express their concerns, demanding answers about chemicals resulting from the ensuing dust cloud along with possible dangers to wildlife and lake contamination.
Avon Lake officials said that Verdantas, an “independent consultant,” conducted an environmental study after the July implosion and found that the air quality remained “well within safety standards.”
Why is the site being demolished?
According to Cleveland Historical, the Avon Lake power plant was opened by Cleveland Electric Illuminating (CEI) in 1926 at the cost of $30 million. The plant closed in 2021, but community leaders are hoping to redevelop and revitalize the 40-acre site.
In 2022, ALERG hosted a public meeting showcasing their vision for the future of the property. Renderings done in tandem with commercial real estate firm Avison Young and architecture design firm Gensler showed plans to keep the plant’s iconic stacks, while taking advantage of open space along the lakefront.
PHOTOS: Renderings of proposed redevelopment of Avon Lake power plant site
ALERG set up a toll-free hotline for residents with questions or concerns about the impending demolition. The phone number is 1-844-822-8385.
