August 4, 2000
In less than 24 hours the old smokestacks in Murray will be demolished. While residents prepare for the blast, gawkers are stopping for one last glimpse. News Specialist Stacey Butler has more.
Demolition experts have just one day left to get the stacks ready. And about 25 families living in the area, too have their work cut out for them. Clearing shelves and making sure their homes are sealed----there's a feeling of anxiety in this neighborhood ----no one's quite sure what to expect.
Julie Debban/Murray Resident: "NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE E.P.A. OR ANYONE TELLS US IT'S GOING TO BE FINE--I STILL DON'T FEEL AT EASE WITH IT."
Ready or not, in a matter of hours the Murray smokestacks are coming down. The decision to go through with the explosion came Friday afternoon when a judge ruled it's too late and too unsafe to stop Sunday's smokestack spectacle. Friday night, those living across the street from the stacks admit they're a little nervous.
"JUST TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO GET READY FOR THIS, WHAT TO PACK WHAT TO GET READY FOR THIS, NOT KNOWING."
Some are already taking breakables off the shelves, preparing for a good jolt from the explosion. Saturday crews will tape plastic around the windows and air conditioners of every home within 1,000 feet of the stacks. Well, almost every home.
John Eakins/Murray Resident: "I HAVE DOUBLE PANED WINDOWS, SO I CAN'T SEE HOW TAPING MY HOUSE UP IS GOING TO MAKE IT ANY TIGHTER THAN IT IS NOW."
Murray police began patrolling the area Friday afternoon. They say, the curious are already stopping for one last look.
"YESTERDAY, TODAY, TAKING PICTURES, GOING OVER THERE. YEAH, A LOT OF PEOPLE TAKING PICTURES."
For a lifetime the stacks have been a sort of trailmarker for some.
Tyler Labrum/stopped to see stacks: "IF I GET LOST I SEE THEM AND I KNOW WHERE I AM. NOW I'LL BE LOST."
Police expect some 70,000 onlookers on Sunday. At 6:00 Sunday morning police will close State Street from 49th South to 53rd South and 53rd South will be closed from 3rd West to State Street.
"AS FAR AS WE'RE CONCERNED THE BEST PLACE TO VIEW THE DEMOLITION IS IN FRONT OF YOUR OWN T.V. SET."
Traffic is sure to be a mess. Police don't expect roads to reopen until 1:00 Sunday afternoon. That's a good four hours after the demolition.
