Zumbiel implosion date decided
Stephanie Metz
Assistant Campus News Editor
Erika Breese
After months of preparation, the Zumbiel Packaging Plant is scheduled to be imploded at 8 a.m., Saturday, March 22.
Although it is “a relatively safe explosion” there are several precautions being taken, says Bob Sheeran, Associate Vice President for Facility Management.
Dana, Cleneay and Herald avenues will all be closed for the implosion and an exclusion zone will be set up so that students, area residents and spectators maintain a safe distance.
Residents of the Commons Apartment building will be asked to evacuate the building and clear the Commons parking lot that morning.
“We are simply asking students to move their cars and evacuate the building out of precaution and because the area will be so dusty,” says Angie Kneflin, Apartments Manager.
The morning of the implosion, spectators will be able to watch from the C-2 parking lot near the entrance to the Schiff Family Conference Center entrance. Sheeran believes this will be the best spot from which to view the implosion because “you will be able to see the building falling toward you.”
The entire demolition project for many buildings on Xavier’s campus is expected to take three to four months in total. Sheeran estimates the campus is about five weeks into the process.
Tearing down old structures like the Zumbiel Packaging Plant, the Norwood Café and Ledgewood Avenue houses will make room for new buildings that are part of Xavier’s To See Great Wonders Campaign.
During the past months, the Zumbiel plant has been prepared for the upcoming implosion. “One major objective was to recycle as much material as possible from the Zumbiel plant, up to 90 percent of the building’s materials,” said Sheeran.
The structure itself is composed mainly of steel and concrete, which can all be recycled. However, all the insulation materials in the building could not be recycled and needed to be removed prior to demolition.
During the preparation for the implosion, several environmental hazards, typical in a building this age, were uncovered. These hazards included asbestos on piping, fire doors, polychlorinated biphenyls used as coolants and insulating fluids and mercury in old light bulbs. In addition to these typical hazards, asbestos was unexpectedly found in the caulking around windows and in the putty holding the glass in the windows.
“We needed to get rid of all that first” before implosion could happen, says Sheeran. Although the amount of the chemicals was not dangerous, if the building had been imploded with them inside other materials would not have been acceptable for recycling.
“Everything that comes down can now be recycled,” says Sheeran. After clearing all the hazardous materials, steel columns have been prepared for demolition by removing some of the concrete attached to them so they will be easier to implode.
The demolition of the Zumbiel plant was delayed to clear the building of hazards. March 22 was settled on as the implosion date because the building will be ready by that date and because the demolition company, Controlled Demolition Inc., a nationwide traveling demolition company, was available as well.
Distributed between the first and third floors of the Zumbiel plant, a total of 350 explosive sites will be placed and then set off in a sequence the morning of the implosion.
Sheeran explains implosion as an “engineered progressive failure; a systematic elimination of supports to control where the building falls.” The steel columns supporting the building will be weakened enough so that gravity will cause the building to fall over. From the time the explosive sites are set off, to the time the building falls will take approximately 10 to 12 seconds, according to Sheeran.
Once the building has been demolished it will take several more weeks to remove all of the debris.
Professor Profile: Dr. Stephen Paul O’Hara
Michelle Rosmarin
Staff Writer
Though some students view history as irrelevant, Dr. Stephen Paul O’Hara, associate professor of history, sees the value in teaching his students about their American heritage. He shares his love of both our country’s past and his life at Xavier today.
What degrees do you have?
I have a M.A. and Ph.D. in modern U.S. history from Indiana University, Bloomington and a B.A. from the University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities. I was at the U of M when Clem Haskins was fired and was in Bloomington when Bobby Knight “left,” so it would seem that basketball scandals follow me around. So watch your back, Sean.
What classes do you teach here?
I offer U.S. history surveys at the introductory level and upper-level modern U.S. courses.
I especially love the issues, events and paradoxes of American industrialization from the mid-nineteenth century through the Great Depression; so many of my courses concentrate there.
Which class do you most enjoy teaching?
Wow, that is like asking someone to choose their favorite child. Each class brings different challenges, possibilities and problems. If I had to pick, I’m really quite fond of the Great Depression. It is a period old enough to be radically different from our own, yet still quite relevant in its themes and legacies. Plus it is a great excuse to watch Jimmy Cagney gangster films.
What is your least favorite thing about Xavier?
I may be alone in this, but I’m going to miss the old Zumbiel plant. I think it is a great building, and I think the watertower has iconic landmark written all over it. The Zumbiel plant not only has great post-industrial architectural potential, but it also could tie the campus into the industrial history and legacies of Norwood and Evanston.
What music do you like to listen to?
Like most people, my musical tastes froze in my late teens and early twenties, so I still listen to a lot of REM, Achtung Baby-era U2 and alt/grunge (give Nirvana unplugged a listen). I’ve recently started to listen to more mid-twentieth century bebop jazz, which makes me sound so pretentious.
Do you have a favorite place to travel?
I love cities. During my dissertation research I spent a lot of time in Chicago, which is a place I really like a lot. But a couple of years ago, I made my first trip to Mexico City. Now that’s a city.
If you were a contestant on “Survivor” and could only bring one item with you, what would you bring?
It depends. Am I on an island? Does the island have “others?” If so, I totally want Mr. Eko’s beating stick. If not I’d probably bring papers that needed to be graded since I always seem to carry papers that need to be graded.
If you could live during any historical period, which one would you choose?
As a historian I should really have a good answer for this. I’m terribly fond of the nineteenth century; there was so much radical change, limitless possibilities, great uncertainties, upheavals, revolutions and crises. Yet I confess I’m also quite fond of “modern” conveniences such as plumbing and not having cholera.
Do you have any advice for your students?
My best advice, although not necessarily easy advice, is to learn to write. It is a skill and an art form that is difficult to master.
You need to practice, experiment and occasionally fail to really work that writing muscle. But it is such an important thing to know, whether you are writing essays, memos, application letters or angry letters to the editor.
Police Notes
Mar. 3, 2:10 a.m.– A student reported being harassed by another student.
Mar. 4, 6:39 a.m.– Two students reported a minor accident in the C-5 lot.
Mar. 5, 12:31 a.m.– Campus Police and Residence Life investigated a report of someone smoking marijuana in Husman Hall. The odor of marijuana was detected, but nothing was found.
Mar. 5, 7:52 p.m.– Campus Police investigated a report of three subjects running through the C-5 lot wearing masks. An investigation revealed that the subjects were high school students attending a tournament game at Cintas Center.
Mar. 6, 4:40 p.m.– A student and an employee reported a minor auto accident in the Sycamore lot.
Mar. 8, 1:07 a.m.– Campus Police and Residence Life investigated a report of someone smoking marijuana in Kuhlman Hall. A small amount of marijuana and paraphernalia were confiscated from a student.
Mar. 8, 2:38 a.m.– Campus Police investigated a noise complaint in the Commons. The occupants of the apartment were advised of the complaint and two students in violation of visitation hours were escorted out of the apartment.
Mar. 8, 6:40 p.m.– Campus Police and Cincinnati Fire and Rescue responded to the rear driveway of a student residence on Ledgewood Avenue for a student vehicle on fire. The fire was extinguished and the car towed.
Mar. 9, 3:15 a.m.– Campus Police and Cincinnati Police responded to a one-car accident with minor injuries on Victory Parkway near the baseball field. The vehicle went off the road and caused minor damage to the fence around the field.
Police Note of the Week
Mar. 9, 1:56 a.m.– A student carrying a stolen neon sign from Dana Gardens was apprehended on Cleneay Avenue. The sign was returned.
Meghan Berneking
Campus News Editor
Women’s luncheon
You are cordially invited to the 14th Annual Women of Color Luncheon. from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, in the Cintas Center Banquet Room. The speaker will be Dr. Susan Mboya, Marketing Director, Global Oral-B Power Brushing and Founder of the Zawadi Africa Educational Fund. R.S.V.P. by March 19. A vegetarian meal will be available. For more information call Multicultural Affairs at x3181.
Manis and muffins
Alternative Break Biloxi wants to help you get ready for Spring Break. Stop by the Fireside Lounge in Gallagher from 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12 and Thursday, March 13 for a manicure with a donation to help support AB Biloxi. There will also be baked goods for sale for those of you who are too “manly” to have a manicure. Stop by and help us help others. Contact Brie Cupp at cuppb@xavier.edu for more information.
Girls’ health day
There is an opportunity for girls and their mothers or other significant female role models in their lives to join together for girls’ health day on Saturday, May 3. The all-day event, called “Growing Together, Connecting for Life,” is the vision of five amazing Cincinnati girls who comprise Girl Scout Troop 44738. Their vision attracted Speaking of Women’s Health as a partner and the YWCA as a contributor. Contact Amy Goetz at x3940 for more information.
Webcast discussion
The Drake Foundation presents Bob Woodruff webcast at Xavier. Please join us in a discussion involving Mr. Woodruff’s experience as a journalist embedded with the troops in Iraq, the attack that led to his traumatic brain injury and his amazing recovery through rehabilitation and family support. The discussion will recognize and honor our armed services with a panel of experts representing journalism, healthcare and veteran care/experiences on Tuesday, April 1 in the Schiff Family Conference Center’s banquet room 1. Pizza and registration will begin at 7 p.m. with welcome and introductions beginning at 7:30 p.m.. Don’t miss out on this compelling webcast event and discussion. Contact Amy Goetz at x3940 for more information.
Brown bag lunch
From 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Thursday, March 13, at the Women’s Center. Xavier’s Vice Provost for Diversity, Cheryl Nunez will discuss “A Women’s-Centered Perspective on Institutional Change.” Bring a lunch and a friend, and stay for all or part of the discussion. Contact Amy Goetz at x3940 for more information.
Approach sign-up
The new date for the Approach Retreat is now March 28-30. New people are welcome to sign up to attend the retreat. The new deadline is 5 p.m. this Friday, March 14, with no extensions. Please bring the form and a $25 deposit to Campus Ministry. Financial assistance is available. Please contact Mike in Campus Ministry at x3321 or shawverm@xavier.edu, Paul Moeller at moellerp@xavier.edu or Lauren Staley at staleyl@xavier.edu for more information.
XBOX for $10
Do you have exceptional skills in playing Madden ‘08? Do you want an XBOX 360 for $10? If so, then come to NOBCChE’s XBOX 360 Tournament: Madden Madness at 7:30 pm this Thursday, March 13 in Gallagher. You will compete for an XBOX 360 by playing Madden ‘08. The cost for Preregistration is $10 per person playing if pre-signed up. Winner walks away with the XBOX 360. Contact nobcche@xavier.edu for more information.
