Asarco demolition slated for November

After several years of inactivity, the 600-acre Asarco site will soon be bustling with activity as the more than century-old copper smelter is scheduled to topple in a few months.
The year-long destruction process will commence in November, knocking down buildings and preparing the site for development. In a forum held Aug. 17 at UTEP, Asarco officials and VIPs of the university discussed the issues of the $52 million demolition project.
Roberto Puga, the geologist appointed as trustee to spearhead the demolition and sale of the site, said that UTEP community shouldn't be alarmed during the annihilation of Asarco.
"Our goal is to have zero emissions and we'll accomplish this by using dust suppressants and monitors during the activities," he said. "We want to have the least amount of disruption and impact to the surrounding neighborhoods, and we certainly do not want you to feel that you have to wear [face mask] protection."
Regarding the sounds of heavy machinery and tumbling structures, Puga said that he's doubtful of it being a serious disturbance.
"I don't think the noise will carry beyond the freeway. There may be some background noise, but we can monitor that," Puga said.
However, Puga added that the project may lead to the temporary closure of I-10 and the border highway, most likely on a Sunday morning.
A report based on the community's ideas for the Asarco land is scheduled to be released in September.
"I've been meeting with elected officials, activist groups and everyone interested," Puga said. "I've listened to their concerns, and they have proven to be a good information source."
He mentioned the contribution from ex-Asarco employees who claim that Asarco's wastes have been hazardous to their health.
"These ex-employees have an overriding level interest in the site," Puga said. "We've been careful to listen to them and rather than challenge them, we decided to work with them."
Puga referred to the visit he had with the former employees at the Asarco site, allowing them to point out where the hazardous materials resided.
"We promised to sample the area and have the ex-employees observe us," Puga said. "Given their level of concern, they were due that level of consideration."
The trustee said that others who are concerned about the site can log on to the website www.recastingthesmelter.com to learn about updates, participate in a blog, and view photos and soon-to-be set-up cameras that will show the demolition progress on a 24/7 basis.
After the demolition process, the next item on the agenda is to contain and manage the solid wastes.
"There's this black, obsidian-looking material that the site is built on and we have to manage it," Puga said. "We'll use a containment remedy, which means that nothing leaves the site. The wastes are contained in cells and we'll have to construct at least one more to house these wastes."
Regarding the nearly 900-foot tall towers, Puga said that community members proposed that the towers remain standing as a memorial for the miners who worked at the site and the city's triumph in closing down the plant. However, Puga said it won't be possible under the $52 million fund, which is not appropriated to conserve the smoke stacks.
"To retrofit the stacks, it would cost between $7 to $10 million, in addition to annual maintenance and insurance costs. We just don't have the money to do that. $52 million dollars for the project sounds like a lot, but it's just adequate."
Puga said that it's possible to preserve the bottom 20 feet of the towers as a memorial, but funds must surface from other sources.
"To give folks an opportunity to save the stacks, we'll give them a year to essentially show us the money, and if there's no money, then, during the last stage of demolition, we'll knock them down in a cathartic ceremony."
UTEP President Diana Natalicio questioned Puga on the historical artifacts from Asarco, which include linen-based drawings, metallurgy text books of the 1920s and payroll records of the late 1800s.
"Preserving the history of the site is very important," Puga said. "This kind of information is very valuable for the anthropology department, libraries and museums. Hopefully the university will own some artifacts."
As for the future of the site, Puga said that it's feasible to create the popularly suggested shopping mall, but offered a buyers beware caveat.
"We have an open, transparent, full disclosure of the site so that folks know exactly what they are buying. Then they take liability of the property," Puga said.
In September, a report based on the community's ideas for redevelopment is due to be complete.
Echo Lyris Valenzuela, junior media advertising major, does not want Asarco to be turned into a mall or shopping center.
"I don't have a specific idea as to what the site should redevelop into, but it should be something that benefits the community, like a park or possibly a bigger center for the Red Cross," Valenzuela said. "It should be something other than another parking lot or mall. The site is too well known in El Paso."
W.L. Hargrove, UTEP director of the Center for Environmental Resource Management, would like to see the land Asarco sits on used in an environmentally responsible way.
"My biggest concern is that the financial resources are inadequate to address all the needs. I would like to see more of the area returned to its native state rather than be simply paved over," he said. "The plan to sell the land to developers seems appropriate as long as the developers also develop the land in environmentally responsible ways. I would like to see a part of the land dedicated to a use that would serve the public well."
Natalicio advised the audience to ask questions about this expensive endeavour.
"I hope all of you speak out on this extensive project. I would like to see this project respond to the best interest of our community," she said. "The process that Puga is engaged in will help us understand what that is, and he's doing a terrific job of listening. It's interesting to see how this will play out."
Anoushka Valodya may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.