#PeopleDoingStuff: Garner Wins, or How Precision Demolition "Dropped the Ball"

Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, announced last year it would demolish the Garner Apartment building at the end of 2009. Constructed in 1969 and named after the first head of SFA's History and Political Science department, the residence was 14 stories and comprised 132 rooms.

When the four ton wrecking ball met up with the towering brick structure on February 6, there was a surprising turn of events: Garner didn’t want to go. The building, seemingly determined to hold on, presented an unexpected challenge to the demolition process.

The ball slowly swung back, then swung forward - and then lightly tapped the roof. A groan of disappointment could be heard echoing through the crowd. The crane swung out again and brought the wrecking ball against the side again, this time a little harder.

And then there was the matter of the wrecking ball falling 14 stories:

  

You can read more about recollections about Garner as well as the demolition festivities at the ironic Exquisitely Bored in Nacogdoches blog.