These pictures serve as an example of just how quickly the profile of the Lamar Repowering Project is being altered during the demolition project.
The two smoke stacks to the west of the main scaffolding structure were still standing as of Tuesday afternoon.
Now, they’ve been cut into approximately 25 foot sections, stretched out on the property and are being lifted on to waiting trucks while will haul them away to Arkansas.
Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, informed the Lamar Utility Board the sections will be cut lengthwise to repurpose them into culverts once they reach their intended destination.
By Russ Baldwin
Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, told the utility board members that now that the coal conveyer that spanned East Maple Street has been removed, the stacks associated with the Lamar Repowering Project will be the next pieces of equipment that are removed from the area off North Second and Maple Streets.
“You can see the cranes are positioning themselves for the project which will begin by cutting off 25 foot tall sections from the top as they work downwards,” he explained during the board’s May 11
th meeting. Hourieh noted that these segments, including the conveyer housing are being shipped to Arkansas where they will be split lengthwise to be repurposed as culverts.
While the long-awaited demolition of the Lamar Repowering Project nears its completion, just north of that area, the City of Lamar has contracted for a kayak rental facility to supply visitors with an assortment of human-powered craft to enjoy this summer at North Gateway Park.
Not Much Remains
Traffic on East Maple Street is being detoured while the conveyer assembly that spans the road is being taken down and shipped away, one of the final aspects of the demolition project on the ill-fated coal burning power plant.
One or two sections of equipment were purchased and had been shipped intact away earlier this year, while the majority of the plant’s structure is being chewed to pieces and the tonnage is being carded away by a firm hired by the City of Lamar and Light Plant. The domes are remaining as they are being purchased by an agricultural enterprise to be used as storage.
Las Animas Municipal Light & Power was Honored with the National Award for Outstanding Safety Practices:
Las Animas Municipal Light & Power has earned the American Public Power Association’s Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2020.The utility earned a first place award in the category for utilities with 15,000–29,999 worker-hours of annual worker exposure. Utilities that receive an APPA Safety Award have demonstrated that they have made the health and safety of their employees a core value. Designing and maintaining a top-notch utility safety program takes a lot of hard work and commitment. “Las Animas Municipal Light & Power values employee safety above all else,” stated Ron Clodfelter, Superintendent of Las Animas Municipal Light & Power. “We all recognize the importance of going home to our families each day; this is what drives our dedication to safety.” Well Done and Congratulations!