Mercy Prepares for Building Implosion

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By Daren Sukhram

Story Created: Feb 23, 2009 at 9:04 PM CST

Story Updated: Feb 23, 2009 at 9:05 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS – In an effort to expedite demolition proceedings and reduce the potential for patient disruption, the Family Practice Center building on the Mercy Medical Center campus, 701 10th St. SE, will be imploded on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 8 a.m.

The building was constructed in 1946 and initially used as a dormitory for the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. Most recently, it primarily housed the Family Practice Center, Mercy business offices and several non-profit agencies.

“We began demolition measures at the site in early January with an eye toward future expansion,” says Karl Keeler, Exec. Vice Pres. & COO. “Traditional demolition methods would require several additional weeks to bring down the building whereas this method is almost instantaneous and will more expeditiously secure the site. Our goal is to be respectful of the structure’s rich history as we carry out the process.”

Jim Redyke, owner and president of Dykon Explosive Demolition Corp., Tulsa, OK, and a sub-contractor of locally-owned D.W. Zinser Co., Inc., is overseeing the implosion. He says the building will come down in a matter of seconds with minimal noise associated with the blast. He likens the sound to the successive firing of a shotgun. Redyke says columns of the building will be wrapped with chain link fencing and heavy fiber cloth to contain debris as it falls inward.

Patients and staff in Mercy’s patient tower should not feel the blast. However, a dust cloud may be visible in the immediate area. Protective sheeting will cover the windows on the side of the hospital that directly faces the demolition site.

The implosion will NOT affect patient parking in the Mercy ramp. However, access to the ramp will be limited to the 8th Avenue entrance on Saturday morning. And, to provide a safe perimeter surrounding the implosion site, the following streets will be closed: 5th Avenue at 10th Street, 7th Street at 5th Avenue, 8th Street at 5th Avenue and 8th Street at 8th Avenue.

This event may be noteworthy to the community as local demolition experts say it is Cedar Rapids’ first building implosion.

Public viewing will be permitted from a safe distance on the north side of the Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa (PCI) parking lot, across 8th Street from the implosion site. Spectators should seek out available street parking and access the PCI parking lot on foot. Viewing will not be allowed in cordoned off areas near the implosion site.

For those who prefer to watch the implosion from a distance, a live Webcast of the event will also take place.

A video production crew from the Discovery Channel will be on site as well to videotape the implosion for possible use on the reality-based series entitled “The Detonators”.

Additionally, the Mercy Medical Center Foundation and Auxiliary are conducting a raffle in conjunction with the implosion, as well as a brick-selling campaign. Money raised through both initiatives will benefit the Mercy Medical Center School of Nursing Endowed Scholarship fund. The winner of the raffle will activate the implosion on Feb. 28. Raffle tickets are being sold through Feb. 25 at Mercy’s 10th St. lobby and outside the cafeteria. The drawing will take place on Feb. 26.

For more information, contact Mercy Medical Center at (319) 398-6086.

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