EXPLOSIVES DEMOLITION | Hart Island Chimney

Located on the East River, a half mile off the Bronx in New York City, Hart Island’s somber history includes facilities that were used as an institution for the mentally ill, a tuberculosis sanatorium, a boy’s reformatory, a drug rehabilitation center, and a prison. For that entire time, part of the island was, and continues to be used as a “potter’s field” for burial of low income and unclaimed New York residents. The island has been described as the largest cemetery in the United States and the final resting place for over a million individuals since 1864.

Gramercy Group, Inc. (Gramercy), was retained by the New York City Department of Design & Construction and LIRO Engineers, Inc., to demolish the remaining structures on the island, including the structurally unsound, 1912 vintage power house chimney that had been modified and damaged over the years to the point where Gramercy had concern for worker safety under both hand or mechanical demolition options. After deciding that an explosives felling of the 135’ tall chimney would be the safest means of bringing the damaged structure to grade, Gramercy contacted Controlled Demolition, Inc. (CDI) of Phoenix, Maryland, to assist in the demolition of the Hart Island Chimney.

After working closely with Chief Inspector Joe Meyers of the New York City Fire Department Explosives Unit to issue permits for the project on a fast-track basis, CDI mobilized to the site and used proven methods to protect personnel from potential fall of debris from above while preparing the severely damaged chimney in just eight (8) working hours. On the morning of January 30, 2023, CDI safely felled the damaged chimney without disturbing burial sites as close as 100’ from the fall path of the chimney.