While rumors and concerns have come up about the proposed demolition of the smokestacks of the Homer City Generating Station this Saturday morning, not many details have been officially released by the company that owns the property.
We reached out multiple times to representatives with Homer City Redevelopment, LLC to confirm details about the implosion. A circular making the rounds on Facebook from Frontier Industrial Corporation shows that crews would arrive at 6:00 AM, with the first warning blast going out at 7:15, and the implosion would start at 7:30. Calls to Frontier Industrial to confirm the schedule’s validity have also gone unanswered.
Center Township and Homer City Borough each hosted the company’s Vice President Robin Gorman at meetings in December, but there has been no information since then. Center Township Supervisor Matt Housholder voiced some concern about lack of information.
A meeting is scheduled today between Homer City Redevelopment, LLC and the Indiana County Emergency Management Authority to go over details. That meeting is not open to the public as it is with a private corporation.
Click on the video player below to watch an editorial on the subject from Renda Media Vice President and General Manager Mark Bertig:
Thank you for your efforts to inform the community. I think everyone realizes the positive economic impact the redevelopment can have on the area, but right now, the utmost importance must be on the safety of the community. I recently spoke with a representative of Homer City Redevelopment, but still have many concerns. I am especially concerned with the company chosen to perform the implosion, as there is nothing regarding their history/expertise available online. Likewise, the overall lack of promised communication is very disappointing, and frankly, disrespectful to the community.