Governors Island Implosion June 9, 2013

A 45-year old former U.S. Coast Guard apartment block, abandoned since 1996, is perfectly demolished by "implosion" over the course of about 20 seconds. 250 lbs of explosives were used. The 11-story building was removed to make way for a park.
Special thanks to Par Parekh for answering the call!

[@yugmlif]

I love the delay between the visual and sound... Its great seeing Physics at work.

[@juneschley9714]

I lived on that island for 2 years as a proud member of the United States Coast Guard, as well as lived in Bldg 877, Apt 325 with my wife at the time and my 2 very young daughters. I was saddened by the implosion for it brought back so many memories of what I and my family shared with so many people on GI. From a small town in SW Michigan to have seen and experienced what I had......Priceless.

[@juneschley9714]

This msg was under my girlfriends account. My name is David Grant Poffenberger, Radioman 3rd class USCG. Peace.

[@Gewehr2180]

Lived on that island during the 80's for 3 years. Lived in Bldg 855 Apt 7K. My father was stationed on the Sorrel. I have made it back to the island twice since it has been turned into a park. It's nice to be back on the island but in the other hand it's sad to watch my childhood memories be torn down and to see the condition of the pools? How many people can say they have been to a burger king that sold beer and pizza under the same roof? Hell I can remeber seeing Gorbachov as he stepped on to the golf course to meet with Regan. You'll never forget that kind of stuff. I was saddened to see they tore down PS 26 elementry school. I came across a few old photos of kids along the backside of the school. Almost brought tears to my eyes. Watching Opsail 86 from the roof of my apartment building. What a view! And we all can not forget the foghorn. But watching the Macy's Day fireworks from the ship anchored in the East River, I mean come on how cool is that? But in the end I will always have my memories and of course Google for those images of what was. I hope you enjoyed your time on the island like I got to. It's a very unique experience that only a small group will have and apreciate.

[@Hobypyrocom]

whats the reason for those constant bangs after the initial bang from the primacord? are they echo?

[@meganoconnor4892]

There goes some of my childhood memories.....RIP building 877.

[@robertmuir4496]

Station there from 1976 to 1978.SAR unit.Before that was at Execution Rocks Lighthouse.before that-St Louis on the Mississippi River.

[@kazoosc]

they most likely took out some internal supports .. then you see the explosions at ground level and halfway up (behind the black fabric) starting at the far right and far left and proceeding to where the wings meet and on to the back of the building which cause it to fall down .. each section pulling the one after it down

[@cosmonautz6304]

Fantastic!

[@ChrisGammell]

Whenever I see buildings implode, "Where is my mind" by The Pixies plays in my head. I've watched Fight Club too much.

[@stevewang]

The explosions are timed to get the domino effect/controlled falling of the building. Otherwise it would fall randomly, possibly spreading debris and dust in outward which is not ideal.

[@wilkesjournal]

Then who do you think does?

[@djlolypop]

@Manfred Knorr read the description

[@IlluminatedWhiteGuy]

They still can after it hits the ground. It's cheaper to get it down that way. It costs a small fortune for a crane or helicopter to take them down. It even softens them up a little for easier dismantling. All the metal from buildings is recycled.

[@alexkije]

Looks like the high rise across from the hospital.

[@SomePoserStoleMyName]

These buildings are stripped before they are imploded. That structure is nothing but concrete and rebar. The rubble is pretty much ready made fill. It is used to create platforms for runways and overpass lead ups amongst other things. From an environmental point of view the amount of explosives required to do this is insignificant com paired to the amount of fuel used to process a building with backhoes and bulldozers. And much safer.

[@Mad-Duk_Machine_Werkes]

I thought it odd that they left the AC units still on the roof? you'd think they would have at least recycled them for the metal....

[@StoneBoneAndFire]

So where's the instructions on how to do this ourselfs?

[@agoedker]

I haven't seen a controlled demolition since building 7.

[@IlluminatedWhiteGuy]

And they systematically closed 3 floors at a time and worked in the middle floor where nobody could hear much for the 3 months prior for"Elevator upgrades"! Many tenants complained about the cement dust constantly getting all over their equipment. A Jew owned shipping company broke there lease paying 50k penalty 3 months prior also on 10k sq feet office space where the explosives were stored while working the frame for demolition. Now you know exactly how it went down...

[@LadyMocha]

These buildings were in great condition, they shouldn't have been dismantled

[@rocko430]

it honestly kind of sounded like a bunch of soldiers were stomping to bring it down

[@LuekalanunFerdalan]

things are now getting un-made here too

[@d4walkaline]

I thought the name of the magazine was make, not destroy =P

[@Hobypyrocom]

oh yeah your right. it sounded just like echo or fireworks effects :)

[@QasimMustafa]

And i thought this channel was Make, not Break.

[@landdcollection]

The best part of it is that it'll make way for a park =)

[@algalkin]

BIM Design, plus permits and production for big HVAC firm

[@algalkin]

I see, well, I bet it didnt look suspicious at all - for any of those 6000 workers in WTC, including private security guys!

[@stevewang]

1:24 on... listen closely and hear the spirits being released from that dreadful place...

[@ecrusch]

THAT is the way to do it .

[@redg1369]

Lol the seagulls are like oh shit

[@4iuse]

wow.

[@DoctorBlankenstein]

hahaha! amazing since the Governors Balls is at Randall's Island today. Prob freaked out a lot of drunk concert goers!

[@MekazaBitrusty]

45 years is not old for such a building. Why was it demolished?

[@scottwooledge6387]

The entire island is being converted from a secure military facility into a public park. There is no permanent housing permitted on the island (a restriction created by US Congress when they sold it back to New York State). As such, there was no use for a residential building there. There are still many beautiful and historic buildings on the island that remain. This building was not particularly architecturally or historically significant. The debris was recycled to create landscapes on the park.

[@cometpowell]

No slow motion necessary.

[@jfko6]

There was nothing wrong with the building. It was perfectly livable space.

[@algalkin]

Nah, I work at construction engineering firm - those were rhitorical qustions

[@electronicballast]

They're building a park I think o n hte site

[@davandstudios]

Wow, just like the towers and building 7. Hmm

[@cafecapes]

building 7 was done cleaner than that

[@Hobypyrocom]

oh i see, it sounded like echo :)

[@JustJobeMY]

Those poor birds musta totally freaked out lol

[@algalkin]

Yep, someone secretly smuggled 10000lbs of explosives into WWC towers.

[@pjotr151]

love the ending sound like a couple of cows are there too

[@theshadowninja3281]

Doesn't seem like it

[@VictorF0326]

COWS?

[@TWOLF365]

I don't care who you are, that's funny stuff right there!

[@Ginounknown]

they better have....or they dealing with ME!

[@DJSALLYB]

Lol slow motion sounds

[@NOTCUTOUT]

no all of them died

[@jinacio]

google, update your satelite goo. gl /maps /5R1fu

[@GroovyDrifter]

Yes, but don't tell her, they prefere to be called "women". Joking...

[@roy.esummersjr7688]

One of my homes as a child wow I think I want to third or fourth grader

[@algalkin]

May be taking those prescribed pills will help you understand why?

[@jase23three]

haha

[@AliCheetham]

meanwhile in soviet russia

[@TheDutchProjects]

4th

[@jase23three]

haha