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Demolition starts on power plant’s ash silo

By Clay Schuldt 1 min read
Staff photos by Clay Schuldt This series of photos shows the top cap of the power plant ash silo coming down. The roof of the silo came off in one large piece and was one of the first sections of the structure to come down. The demolition crew was able to bring the cap down relatively slowly using guide wires and equipment to catch it, prevent to a free fall to the ground.

NEW ULM -- The demolition of the New Ulm Power Plant's ash silo began Wednesday.

Located on the 1st North Street side of the Power Plant, the silo has not been used since 1997. It was built in 1965 as part of coal operations, which has been discontinued.

In its current condition the silo has loose and falling bricks creating a hazard. The sidewalk around the silo was barricaded off for the last several months as a precaution.

Blue Earth Environmental Company is in charge of the demolition efforts. Stewart Carlton with the demolition company said the silo was a challenge to take down, because the structure was on stilts and it was heavy.

The company packed sand around the structure before demolition in order to protect the street from falling debris.

On Wednesday, the crew took off the cap of the tower with plan to remove the bottom section Thursday.

Carlton said the crew does not have a set time schedule for the demoltion. The goal is to take it down safely rather than meet a time schedule.

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