Things went BOOM in Houston this morning.....

[Hail]

Here is my video and few photos from this morning's implosion of a downtown Houston icon. The Foleys/Macy's department store built in the 1940's. My office window looks out over the site.

You cannot get it from the video but you could feel my building shake as the explosions were going of. I could feel it in my chest. That is when I said "Holy Shit!" It was pretty cool. Never seen an implosion with my own eyes before.

Houston Macy's/Foleys Implosion - YouTube

 

[Bogie]

Very cool!! :deal:

 

[FZ1riderNY]

Gotta love a good Implosion!!! Thanks for the pics and video Brad!

 

[CrazyBiker]

Looks freaking cool! How do they cleanup the asbestos and other toxic dirt that emanates to the surrounding areas?

 

[Hail]

Looks freaking cool! How do they cleanup the asbestos and other toxic dirt that emanates to the surrounding areas?

They actually warned the public to not show up due to contaminants in the dust. People showed up anyway. They spray it down with water before during and after to minimize the dust cloud as much as possible. As you could see it does not get it all.

 

[Evitzee]

Very interesting .... when I worked in Houston in the late 70's there was a fair bit of a shopping district centered around Foley's. Was in that store numerous times, bought a suit or two from them....then Houston downtown went to hell in the 80's and 90's due to the low oil prices. No one put any money into downtown Houston and the roads were horrendous, one giant pothole. It's cleaned up a lot now, and all repaved, but no more retail, it's all moved out to the Galleria, Memorial City, and Town & Country. But you still have the main Spec's store not too far down Smith St......can usually spend an hour or two in there perusing all the wine and food and come out with a few choice bottles.

The original James Coney Island was located at Walker and Main, and you used to sit at old timey wooden school desks to eat, ate many a lunch there with work colleagues. Long gone, but they still remain outside of downtown. Not gourmet food but good once in awhile when I get a yen for a coney, and I'm in town.

 

[Hail]

It has changed even more now. People actually live in downtown Houston. It is a completely different place than it was even 10 years ago. There is retail downtown, grocery stores, green space, a bowling alley and tons of fantastic restaurants. The vast majority of retail is a 5 minute drive in to mid town and other booming areas close to downtown which is even a shorter drive than I deal with in the suburbs.