From: Jim Wozniak <Jim.Wozniak@wellmont.org>
Date: Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 12:30 PM
Subject: Crews removing 125-foot tall chimney at Holston Valley Medical Center
To: kingsportblog@gmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/27/10
CONTACT: Jim Wozniak
(423) 230-8237
CREWS REMOVING 125-FOOT TALL CHIMNEY
AT HOLSTON VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
KINGSPORT – For decades, the 125-foot tall chimney at Holston Valley Medical Center has soared into the skyline and served as one of Kingsport's landmarks.
But soon, the chimney will no longer be part of the landscape. Employees of Taft & Frye, a demolition company from Bristol, Va., are dismantling the structure that served the hospital for 58 years. The chimney was taken out of service in early December when the second of two replacement chimneys, both about 30 feet, went on line.
The chimney removal and replacement is part of Project Platinum, the ongoing renovation and expansion of the hospital.
"To me, it will take the institutional look away from the facility, which is in keeping with the major internal and external upgrades and additions we're doing," Jim Moore, Wellmont Health System's vice president of facilities, said of the chimney's removal. "It will definitely improve the hospital aesthetically."
Removing the chimney has been a priority for Holston Valley President Blaine Douglas.
"I think it's a signal that we're moving forward and have a new facility," Douglas said. "It's a new beginning."
The chimney is made of various types of brick and had a concrete cap on top. Workers are removing the chimney by hand, and the demolition should be complete in about six weeks.
Moore considered using explosives to remove the chimney but abandoned that thought after talking to Taft & Frye. That would have put some critical life safety electrical feeds and emergency generators at risk.
"Safety always comes first," he said.
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Wellmont Health System, Attention: Amy Stevens 1905 American Way, Kingsport, TN 37660 United States
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Jeff Fleming
Kingsport Blog
