Demolition group to take down the towering smokestack at a later date
BEESLEYS POINT — Visible from miles around, the smokestack and boiler structures at the former B.L. England Generating Station will soon be but an unsightly memory.
The Beesley’s Point Development Group (BPDG) is set to conduct an implosion of the three boiler units at 9:30 a.m. Friday as part of its project at the 350-acre site, where it plans recreational and residential development.
BPDG co-founder Chris Wilson said Sunday the plan was to implode the smokestack and boiler units at the same time but they have decided to take the boiler out first.
“We have to push the stack to a later date, unfortunately,” Wilson said. “However, the boiler is massive in its own right.”
No date has been set for the smokestack implosion.
“Significant, continued progress has been made in the decommissioning and demolition of the defunct plant, with asbestos abatement 100 percent complete and preparation commenced for implosion of the main boiler structure and smokestack,” the BPDG stated a news release.
The BPDG, which bought the property in November 2021, specializes in redeveloping at-risk sites and has plans for a hotel, marina, restaurants, retail shops and homes as well as a strong environmental education aspect with public access and interpretive signage.
The group consists of Wilson, co-founder Tim Niedzwiecki, Executive Vice President of Real Estate and Development Chad Parks and Executive Vice President and Director of Economic Development David Kreutz.
The group hired internationally recognized Controlled Demolition Inc. to perform the implosion, saying all appropriate preparation and notification have been conducted leading to the event to assure local and state compliance as well as safety of the community.
According to information from BPDG, asbestos abatement has been completed in compliance with the New Jersey Department of Labor.
BPDG has received all necessary state and local permits to perform the implosion. All appropriate entities have been notified of the event, including State Police, marine services, Upper Township emergency services and the school district.
“Months of preparation have taken place to remove adjacent structures as well as prepare the interior of the boilers. Water and dust-suppression equipment will be running to limit migration from the site,” according to the news release.
Mayor Jay Newman, chief of the Marmora Volunteer Fire Company, said township officials have met repeatedly with the BPDG and gone over its plans. He said emergency workers would be on site in case of any accidents.
Designated public viewing points have not been defined. Public access to the end of Route 9 will be prohibited past Clay Avenue the morning of the event. There also is a marine exclusion zone for those planning to watch the event via boat.
In addition, BPDG has notified school officials and timed the implosion to assure children would be in their classrooms and not in transport.
The explosions may be heard from the primary and elementary schools nearby but any vibration is unlikely outside the limits of the property, the statement said.
Other steps taken at the site include demolition of the cooling tower Sept. 29, 2022, and removal of other structures. A controlled burn was conducted in February to remove several acres of invasive phragmites reeds.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff