July 2003 Update Archive

Tuesday, 15 July

The last piece of Bldg 5 toppled on July 14. It was part of a heat-treating oven that had put up such a fight with the demolition crew. They must be relieved to finally finish it off! View the slide show or examine individual pictures below.

Click on a picture to see a larger image:

Last piece of Bldg 5 still standing. But not for long!
(14-Jul-2003)

Going, going, ...
(14-Jul-2003)

Gone.
(14-Jul-2003)

Bldg 5 (at least above-ground part) is history.
(14-Jul-2003)

Bldg 5 is gone.
(14-Jul-2003)

Tidying up some Bldg 5 debris.
(14-Jul-2003)

Now we can update the progress map:

July 14 Progress Map

Friday, 11 July

Cleanup continues as they haul away the debris of Bldg 5. Progress is slow but steady. View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:

Click on a picture to see a larger image:

Two big chunks still left of Bldg 5.
(10-Jul-2003)

Looking west from Bldg 800.
(10-Jul-2003)

Chemical milling tank from Bldg 5.
(10-Jul-2003)

Looking SW at Lakewood and Carson.
(10-Jul-2003)

Fence going up on Carson.
(09-Jul-2003)

Tuesday, 08 July

Some assorted images showing the progress as of July 7. View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:

Click on a picture to see a larger image:

Erecting some power poles.
(07-Jul-2003)

Bldg 5 clean up.
(07-Jul-2003)

Putting up a fence along Carson St.
(07-Jul-2003)

Not much left of Bldg 5.
(07-Jul-2003)

View to the south is getting clearer.
(07-Jul-2003)

And a wide-angle view that should be familiar by now:

Date
07 July 2003.

Sizes
850x225 (84 KB)
1700x450 (228 KB)

Monday, 07 July

More images of Bldg 5's last day standing. Courtesy of contributor MSS, here is a mini-panorama:

Date
30 June 2003.

Sizes
1960x590 (840 KB)
3920x1180 (2.1 MB)

Base Photos
(not yet avail)

And a few snapshots as well. Click on a image or view the slide show:

Click on a picture to see a larger image:

Bldg 5 after the fall.
Photo by M.S.S.
(30-Jun-2003)

Bldg 5 collapses.
Photo by M.S.S.
(30-Jun-2003)

Bldg 5 after the dust settles.
Photo by M.S.S.
(30-Jun-2003)

An anonymous reader sent in these views of the west side of the plant. Bldg 41 is currently undergoing renovation. It will remain part of the "Boeing enclave" and will not be demolished. A different fate awaits Bldgs 12 and 13. Click on a image or view the slide show:

Click on a picture to see a larger image:

West side of Bldg 12.
(26-Jun-2003)

SW corner of Bldg 13.
(26-Jun-2003)

East side (main entrance) of Bldg 41 during remodel.
(26-Jun-2003)

Site News: Visit our new forums! So many readers have sent in emails with their personal stories and memories that we have provided a special spot for such things. If you have a memory, question, comment, or suggestion that you would like to share, the forums are the place for you. Thanks for visiting wilexa.com!

Wednesday, 02 July

Bldg 5 comes crashing down! Thanks once again to "M.S.S." for this amazing video. It has been edited down to just 3 seconds for fastest download, but it is worth every frame! Come back tomorrow for more photos.

Pick a format:
MPEG-4 [Preferred] (0.14 MB)
AVI (0.73 MB)
Quicktime (0.92 MB)

Tuesday, 01 July

Lots of twisted metal was created on Monday, when the crews snipped the last columns of Bldg 5, sending the roof and north walls crashing down (in a suprisingly controlled way). The noise was tremendous! After ventilating the north wall it just took a few well-placed chomps to bring down the roof. But what a mess! We guess it is going to take a while to chop up and haul away the debris. View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:

Click on a picture to see a larger image: