Smokestack in Delaware implodes

The 230-foot stack at the Bancroft Mills site in Wilmington came down in 10 seconds.

A 230-foot smokestack at the former Bancroft Mills site in Wilmington, Delaware, imploded Oct. 15, a report by The News Journal says. The implosion took around 10 seconds.

Controlled Demolition Inc., Phoenix, Maryland, performed the demolition. Parks Natural Resources Police barricaded spectators and park visitors, keeping them 1,000 feet away from the site, from 6 a.m. until noon. The report says there was little to no public viewing area because of the heavily wooded area and private properties surrounding the site.

Buccini/Pollin Group acquired portions of the site in early 2017 and plan to build 350 luxury apartments. The timeline for the $70 million plan was thrown off by a fire that damaged much of the property in November 2016. The group wanted to preserve portions of the 250-foot-long structure facing the Brandywine River, known as the Bluestone building, but much of it was damaged during the fire.

The group acquired the land through a swap with the city which requires the construction of a public pavilion, restrooms, improved parking and more welcoming entrance to Alapocas Run State Park across the river from the mills.

Portions of the mill have already been subdivided into waterfront condominiums to the east of the group’s property, the report says.