Dust To Dust, New Haven Coliseum Imploded

NBC 30 Connecticut News January 20, 2007

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- It was a little behind schedule but the New Haven coliseum disappeared into a cloud of dust early Saturday morning.

The implosion was delayed because of onlookers that were a bit too close for the comfort of officials.

New Haven Mayor John DeStefano told NBC 30 that onlookers on buildings were a safety concern.

The big boom happened at 7:50 a.m.

Crews trucked in more than 15,000 rented tires to absorb the impact and traffic at the busy Interstate 95/91 interchange was stopped so drivers weren't startled by the noise and vibrations. About 2,000 pounds of explosives were used to bring it down.

Much of the building had already been dismantled before the implosion, which left behind 50-foot piles of rubble.

Within a few months, the debris will be cleared and the area will be paved as a temporary parking lot until New Haven embarks on its next development.

The site will be used for more housing and taxable properties and will enhance New Haven's role as the cultural arts capital of Connecticut.

The new development will create thousands of construction jobs, millions of dollars in new taxes and additional spending by bringing college students and theater visitors downtown, officials said.

Gateway Community College and Long Wharf Theatre will move from the outskirts of the city to the coliseum site and an adjacent property. Those moves are part of a $230 million development project that also includes stores and up to 280 housing units.

The Coliseum occupied 6.5 acres of land and the value of the land was assessed at approximately $4 million.