Crescent smokestack slams into the ground after second demolition attempt
Workers on Friday used explosives to topple a smokestack that withstood an initial demolition attempt at the former Duquesne Light-owned Frank R. Phillips Power Station in Crescent, erasing the last visible remnant of the long-idled plant.
Onlookers cheered when the stack hit the ground with an ear-splitting boom that shook windows in homes in neighboring Hopewell. Police and firefighters stopped traffic on Route 51 running in front of the property just before the explosion happened shortly after 9 a.m. Firefighters estimated the stack's height at 300 feet.
"I remember when that was just a corn field across there," said lifelong Crescent resident Allen Kephart. "I remember when they were building (the plant). My dad owned a gas station, and the construction workers would stop and buy gas."
Crescent Fire Chief Glen Kriger said workers set off charges two weeks ago in an attempt to knock down the stack, but were unsuccessful.
Duquesne Light opened the plant in 1943 to provide additional power for industries operating at full capacity during World War II. The plant, which straddles Beaver and Allegheny counties along the Ohio River, was named in honor of a former Duquesne Light president.
Duquesne Light closed the plant in the 1990s. The property changed hands several times and most of the buildings were demolished. It is now owned by Humane Pennsylvania, which lists an address in Reading, according to Allegheny County property records.
Karel Minor, Humane Pennsylvania's CEO, said a former owner, whom he would not identify, donated the property to the animal welfare organization in early 2016. Humane Pennsylvania is leasing the property to River Salvage Co. Inc. in Neville and plans to sell it.
"It was donated to our organization as a charitable donation, and we are realizing the proceeds of the sale," Minor said. "We don't intend to open an animal shelter or anything."
Property records indicate the previous owner was Phillips Station Jordan Street LP.
The abandoned 50-acre property has been an eyesore for years.
Crescent Commissioner Jerry Keller said Duquesne Light built the "scrubber stack" in the 1960s to limit air pollution from the coal-fired plant.
"From what I understand, it was built in the '60s and it was the first scrubber-type smokestack in the United States," he said. "I really have no idea what they're going to do with it. I'm really not particular. Anything that brings revenue to Crescent Township."
Bob Bauder is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-765-2312, bbauder@tribweb.com or on Twitter @bobbauder.
