Centennial Mills demolition set to begin next week

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The demolition of the water tower building at the former Centennial Mills site, which burned on Aug. 2, will likely begin next week, Portland Permitting & Development Director Eric Kutch announced at a press conference today in the 1900 Building.

"This is a complex demolition" Kutch said. "Because the building is at risk of collapse, the work requires specialized engineering, equipment, and demolition expertise to protect workers, adjacent infrastructure, the railroad, and the surrounding community."

"Barring any major changes, we expect demolition to begin in earnest early next week, very likely Monday," Kutch said.

The property owner has hired Staton Companies, a Eugene-based demolition contractor, to perform the demolition and structural engineering firm DCI Engineers to consult on the demolition.

Staton Companies and its subcontractor, DetX, are planning to set off controlled explosions designed to bring the water tower down first, then dismantle the rest of the building.

"We realize there is a desire to see this building come down quickly," Kutch said. "Safety is our highest priority. We ask for the public's patience as we work to bring this building down as quickly as we can in the safest manner possible."

How the demolition will proceed

A notification will be provided to nearby residents and property owners before the first explosives are detonated.

Windows, doors, ventilation systems, air intakes, utilities, and equipment at surrounding buildings will be protected as needed based on proximity to the blast zone and site conditions.

An independent pre-blast survey will document existing conditions, and seismographs will be placed at selected locations to verify that blast vibration remains within established limits. Monitoring locations will be placed near the closest protected assets, active utilities, and other areas of concern.

The water tower will be removed from the structure first, using a controlled detonation.

"We expect the water tower removal to be, frankly, loud and may cause fear to vulnerable populations," Kutch said. "We want to ensure the public is aware as soon as possible to allow for preparation."

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.

"We expect the building to be dismantled to about half of its current height in two weeks' time," Kutch said.

When the building has been sufficiently dismantled, Northwest Naito Parkway may be reopened to traffic between 9th and 15th avenues.

Do not go near the building

Safety is the top priority. The building is at risk of collapse. To protect the public, Portland Fire & Rescue worked with an engineer to establish a safety perimeter - a minimum of 1.5 times the building height - in the event of a building collapse.

Portland Fire & Rescue is monitoring the perimeter and may adjust it as needed. For your safety, heed the warnings, and stay out of the safety perimeter.

Stay inside during and immediately after the initial blast (pets too)

Materials at the Centennial Mills site tested positive for lead and asbestos. It is possible that a collapse of the building could make particles of these substances airborne in the form of dust or small fibers. Stay inside until 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. Staying safe after a nearby building collapses

Do not call 9-1-1 except for medical emergencies

Do not call 9-1-1 unless there is a medical emergency. First responders are aware of this activity. Please reserve the limited bandwidth of the 9-1-1 system for true emergencies.

Do not fly drones near the site

Do not fly drones over the Centennial Mills building. This includes news media, content creators, and the general public. The building and its surroundings are currently an active crime scene, and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and Oregon laws may make it illegal to fly drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles over the site.

Learn more about the Centennial Mills fire