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The ceremonial implosion plunger will be pushed by 2012 WIU alumnus Brock Willard, of Pittsfield, IL.
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Higgins Implosion Set for Saturday

June 27, 2017

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MACOMB, IL – The countdown is underway until Western Illinois University will formally say good-bye to Higgins Hall by imploding the structure Saturday, July 1.

At approximately 9 a.m., the 50-year-old building will be demolished in an event that will last an estimated 15 seconds. The demolition is being completed by Spritas Wrecking Co., of St. Louis, MO, and Controlled Demolition, Inc. of Phoenix, MD.

The building, which closed in May 2013, is being taken down after a 2008 Facilities Condition Assessment showed it would cost an estimated $48 million to bring the building to "like new" status. The 20-story building, constructed on the seventh hole of the old golf course, was opened in 1967 as a residence hall for women.

A public viewing area for Saturday's implosion has been set up on University Drive. The street will be closed to traffic near Brophy Hall, and public parking will be available in the adjoining Q-Lot. Riverview Drive and Western Avenue will also be closed to traffic.

The event will be streamed live on the WIU Facebook page and the University's YouTube channel. A link to the coverage can be found on the wiu.edu homepage closer to the event. There is also an event Facebook page at facebook.com/events/456490644695099/. The page offers alumni and others a chance to leave memories or photographs of their time living in the residence hall.

The ceremonial implosion plunger will be pushed by 2012 WIU alumnus Brock Willard, of Pittsfield, IL. Willard won a Text-to-Plunge competition, which required participants to donate $5 to push the plunger. Money raised through the text event will pay for a memorial marker for Higgins Hall.

Clean-up of the debris will begin immediately after the implosion and is expected to last until October. An estimated 90 percent of the debris will be diverted from landfills through recycling, and the resulting area will be turned into green space.

A variety of events are planned for those interested in attending the implosion. The schedule includes:

Alumni Social

To celebrate the memories had within the campus' tallest building, a BBQ will be held on the Thompson Hall lawn beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, June 30. Immediately following, a Student Services Social will be held from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Sports Corner@124 in downtown Macomb. Former Student Services employees are invited to attend. Reunion registration details can be found at wiu.edu/higgins.


Celebration Tailgate

Beginning at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, July 1, a celebration tailgate will be held in the designated viewing area. The viewing area map can be found at bit.ly/2r9nC8l.

Post-Implosion

Following the implosion, University Housing and Dining Services staff will hold guided walking tours from 9:30-10:30 a.m. of WIU's residence halls [note: access to Thompson Hall may be restricted July 1 due to implosion staging].

Memorabilia from Higgins, including room number signage and plaques/trophies, will also be for sale in the viewing area.

For more information about the Higgins celebration, contact Joe Roselieb at JA-Roselieb@wiu.edu or(309) 298-3320 or post at facebook.com/events/456490644695099.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing