[URBAN NOTE] On how the GM smokestack was demolished in Windsor

[rfmcdonald]

Postmedia News' Chris Thompson describes what happened when GM decided to bring down a smokestack in Windsor without notifying anyone, including the city.

Windsor officials are promising a thorough investigation and possible bylaw violation charges after the GM smokestack came down unannounced with a loud thud Tuesday afternoon.

Emergency crews were called to the former GM transmission plant between Kildare and Walker roads shortly after 3 p.m. when a crew with Jones Group Inc. completed the demolition, which had failed three times on Aug. 10.

“They did not give us the required notice,” said City of Windsor chief building official John Revell.

“So it was done without any public notice. They didn’t notify the city, it’s … I don’t know what to say about it, other than we are doing an investigation. And more information will be forthcoming.”

A woman who answered the phone at Jones Group who would only identify herself as Tracy said the company would have a statement about the demolition sometime on Wednesday.