The demolition of the Pontiac Silverdome is set for Sunday at 8:30am ET, and large crowds are "expected to come out ... to watch the implosion of the 20-foot steel-band that once held the 80,311-seat stadium’s inflatable roof in place," according to a front-page piece by Natalie Broda of the OAKLAND PRESS. The partial implosion of the dome "will see small charges fixed to the vertical beams surrounding the stadium, which once detonated, will break the beams and drop the steel ring to the ground." Sports celebrities who "once played in the Silverdome are also expected to be in attendance, though those names are not being released immediately." The rest of the dome "will come down in pieces by hydraulic excavator over the next year as a vacuuming process removes left over debris." Knocking down the stadium "will leave a 50-foot deep hole in the ground." In case of inclement weather on Sunday, an "alternative date for the implosion is set for Sunday. Dec. 10" (OAKLAND PRESS, 11/29). In Detroit, JC Reindl notes there "will be a viewing area for the public to witness the explosion." A spokesperson for the event said, "It's going to be a very visible explosion. There will be a blast, there will be smoke, so you will be able to catch all of that” (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 11/29).
DEALING WITH THE LEFTOVERS: In Atlanta, Tim Tucker notes the portions of the Georgia Dome that "remained standing after last week’s implosion will be demolished by the end of the year, possibly with another smaller-scale implosion." Holder Construction Company Exec VP Wayne Wadsworth said that the method of bringing down the remaining portions is "still being evaluated." He also said that the options are to "again use explosives or to use heavy equipment" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 11/29).
