With demolition approaching at Centennial Mills, city shares details and safety measures with nearby residents

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This weekend, the City of Portland is reaching out to homes and businesses near the Centennial Mills site with information about demolition activities expected to begin Monday, Aug. 17.

The water tower building at Centennial Mills burned Aug. 2. Since then, City officials have worked with the building owner to plan for a safe demolition.

During the water tower demolition

Demolition contractors plan to begin by using controlled explosions to take down the water tower Monday afternoon. To spread the word in advance, the City is posting flyers in nearby buildings, sharing updates on social media, and working with neighborhood and community contacts to share information with their existing networks.

The City will send a text alert to nearby residents and property owners approximately one hour before the first explosives are detonated so no one is caught off-guard.

Sign up for Multnomah County Public Alerts to get this warning: PublicAlerts.org/signup

Before the blasts begin, the contractor will fully clear the area within 300 feet of Centennial Mills. There are no residential buildings within that area. Fields Park will remain closed.

In addition, nearby residents may hear the contractor's on-site warnings. Sirens will sound three minutes before the blast and again one minute before the blast. Then there will be a verbal five-second countdown. After these alerts, community members within a half-mile area will hear four simultaneous blasts from the Centennial Mills building. A public alert message will be sent when this stage of the demolition is complete.

Once the water tower is removed, the contractor will begin to dismantle the remaining walls in a controlled manner to minimize the spread of debris beyond the building's footprint. It may take up to two weeks for the building to be dismantled to half of its present height.

Protect your health and safety

The sound of explosives can be distressing for some community members. If you need mental health support because of the explosions, please call the 988 crisis hotline or your healthcare provider. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call or text 911.

Stay inside during and immediately after the initial blasts. It is possible a collapse of the building could make particles of lead and asbestos airborne in the form of dust or small fibers. Stay inside until the dust visibly clears.

If you must leave your home soon after detonation, use an N95 mask if available, and limit your time outside as much as possible. If dust from the blast gets on you or your clothes, take steps to not track the dust into your home.

Do not go near the building

Safety is the top priority. The building is at risk of collapse. For your safety, heed the warnings, and stay outside the safety perimeter.

Stay updated with the latest information

For ongoing updates and more information on staying safe, please visit Portland.gov/Centennial-Mills and follow the City's social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Printable flyer