December 16, 2004
Douglas Park Gets Council Approval
As reported in the Long Beach Press-Telegram, Boeing Realty received Long Beach City Council approval for the Douglas Park development on December 14th.
Demolition of the old Douglas plant should be completed by the end of February 2005. The P-T goes on to say:
Infrastructure sewer lines, underground utility lines and related work could be installed as part of a first phase starting in July, Boeing Realty executives said. That work could last until late 2005.
Check back at wilexa.com for photo updates of the end of the demolition and beginning of the new construction.
Stay Tuned...
Sorry, folks.
This site has laid dormant for too long. It's time to get things moving again!
Look for photo updates before then of the year.
Happy Holidays,
Dave
June 23, 2004
Serious Demolition Activity Resumes
This May 18, 2004 panorama shows the siding removed from Buildings 2, 4, and 6. Visit the panorama page to see how things used to look.
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May 04, 2004
New Name: Douglas Park!
PacifiCenter is dead! Long live Douglas Park!
Boeing Realty has switched names (and logos) for the redevelopment of the old Douglas Aircraft factory in Long Beach, California. It had been dubbed "PacifiCenter" but is now "Douglas Park". You can read about it at the official home page http://www.douglaspark.org. They have also scaled back the housing units and otherwise modified the proposal.
Quoting from the site:
In partnership with the people and City of Long Beach, we've modified the design somewhat. We've made it more beautiful, more open, more human-scale. We've reduced the number of homes from 2,500 to 1,400. And, along the way, we've changed the name to Douglas Park - in honor of Donald Douglas and the many people who made history here.
[Editorial: This is a good thing. The new name, logo, and focus are much more inspirational than the neutral "PacifiCenter@Long Beach".]
April 12, 2004
Bldg 6A
The siding removal is continuing at a pretty rapid pace on several of the remaining old Douglas Aircraft manufacturing buildings. One of the "godzilla" excavator machines was spotted roaming the PacifiCenter work site last week, snipping a few external pipes and other minor external building features on Bldg 4.
A few snapshots were taken of Bldg 6A with its siding down. This is the same area along Carson Street that the Turbo electrical substation once occupied.
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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The siding is gone from the north side of Bldg 6A.
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Looking S through Bldg 6A with the siding gone.
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Closeup of some apparatus inside Bldg 6A.
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Looking SW at the north side of Bldg 6A. Former Turbo electrical substation is in the foreground.
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March 29, 2004
Bldg 2 Siding Coming Off
The walls are coming off once again at the PacifiCenter work site. In scenes very reminiscent of early 2003, work crews have begun removing the siding panels from Bldgs 2 and 6. Although the old Douglas WWII-era buildings aren't scheduled to come down until the second half of this year, it takes a lot of preparation before the "Godzilla" machines show up.
In other news, the huge pile of debris that was stored just to the east of Bldg 4 has been transported, truckload by truckload, to an area just south of Bldg 13.
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Pile of rocks east of Bldg 4 is getting smaller.
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Pile of rocks east of Bldg 4 is almost gone.
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Siding removed from south side of Bldg 6A.
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The last bit of the rock pile (wide shot) east of Bldg 4.
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Panels coming of the north side of Bldg 2.
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Siding removed from over north hangar doors of Bldg 2.
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Siding removal from NE corner of Bldg 2.
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Siding panels coming off the east wall of Bldg 2.
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March 28, 2004
PacifiCenter Debate Intensifies
The debate over the residential aspects of PacifiCenter is picking up steam. According to a story in the Long Beach Press-Telegram, last week was marked by public statements from organizations for and against housing at the proposed development.
Last Thursday, the board of directors of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously (with two Boeing-related abstentions) to support the project. A chamber task force had examined the proposal and concluded that PacifiCenter will "create new jobs, much-needed high-end quality housing and economic benefits for the city."
Opposing the proposal in its current form, two Lakewood community groups and members of the general aviation business community held a press conference on Friday. Their concerns center around traffic, burdens on the local schools and the basic incompatibility of a major housing development adjacent to a busy airport.
You can investigate the pro and con websites for yourself at www.longbeachadvocacy.biz/pacificenter.htm and www.dangerouspath.com.
March 16, 2004
Starting on Bldg 6
Dumpsters have arrived outside Bldg 6 in preparation for the next phase of the demolition. The next few months will be used to clear the interiors of the remaining buildings, to prepare for taking them down later this year. Here are a few recent pictures to catch up on the activities.
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Sunset at the demolition site.
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Foggy morning at the work site. Dumpsters have been placed outside Bldg 6 and a cherry picker is just visible in the distance.
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Looking west between Bldg 4 (left) and Bldg 6. Preparing for gutting the interior of Bldg 6.
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Tanker truck parked at the NW corner of Bldg 4.
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Contrary to some speculation, plants have sprung up at the demolition site. These weeds appeared where Bldg 5 once stood.
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March 04, 2004
NFL in Long Beach?
Is the NFL coming to Long Beach? A web site has sprung up at NFLLongBeach.com that is trying to garner support for just such a thing. Apparently, Boeing Realty isn't the only group that recognizes the potential for all the acreage of the former Douglas Aircraft site. NFLLongBeach.com proposes a National Football League team and stadium just north of Long Beach airport. Details appear sketchy at this stage, but the web site looks to be a grass-roots effort to generate interest for a stadium before it is too late.
Got an opinion or know of a new alternative? Visit the Hangar Talk Forums today and join the discussion!
Disclaimer: Wilexa.com is completely neutral on the future use of the PacifiCenter site and neither advocates nor opposes the various alternatives that are being proposed. This item is included for information only.
February 27, 2004
Your Engineering Career
To help celebrate National Engineers Week (a bit late) we offer a Douglas Aircraft recruiting booklet for engineering students during World War 2. Your Engineering Career shows the various Douglas planes to date and depicts a fun, challenging, and exciting career working for America's largest airplane company.
The company detailed the engineering opportunities available, from aerodynamicists to model designers to stress analysts to weights engineers and many others.
This booklet gives a quick overview of the Douglas Aircraft Company during the war years. There are sections on its heritage, products, facilities, and even a warm introduction from Donald W. Douglas himself.
Visit the Reading Room to view this 28-page history lesson today!
February 19, 2004
Draft EIR
The PacifiCenter Draft Environmental Impact Report has been published and public comments are now being accepted. The EIR can be viewed online or in person at any City of Long Beach Public Library, as well as the City of Long Beach Building and Planning Department.
The official PacifiCenter web site has a feature called "Draft EIR @ a Glance" that presents an easy-to-digest version of the EIR, focusing on the topics that matter the most to most people.
This full report details the current plans and alternatives that Boeing Realty has on the drawing board. There are three alternatives put forth, from a "preferred" plan that would include 2,500 residences and 3.3 million square feet of commercial space to an "all-commercial" plan. The homes envisioned for two of the three proposals would sit on the east side of the project, just to the west of Lakewood Blvd.
The schedule calls for the site to be completely cleared (including "the tower", Bldg 18A) by the end of the year (2004)! The development should be completed by 2020.
You can voice your comments and opinions in the Current Events forum. Links to recent news stories can be found there also. Remember, you don't need to register to post, and even if you do register, your email address will be kept strictly private.
Here are a few images of recent work going on at the PacifiCenter site. You can view the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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A wet day at the work site.
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Testing one of the setups.
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Three trucks at once! Relatively busy day.
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January 31, 2004
2002 Revisited
One of the first entries in the Demolition Diary was an anonymous Powerpoint presentation that had been floating around emails for quite some time. It shows various photos of the sections of the Boeing Long Beach plant scheduled for "renewal" after manufacturing work had stopped, but before the demolition work had started. These images offer a rare inside view of the buildings, some of which have since been torn down. These photos may have been taken in 2002.
The presentation has been tucked away on a corner of this website, out of the mainstream for a while, so it seems appropriate to bring it to the forefront now. Also, many Wilexa readers do not have Powerpoint, so these photos have been extracted so that all visitors can view them. If you know the date(s) these photos were taken, or if you are the photographer and would like credit, please send us an email.
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Looking west. The south end of Bldg 5 is on the right side of the photo, easily recognizable by the stacks. (ca. 2002)
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Bldg 12(?) interior. Note the steel stands for working on the fuselage sections. (ca. 2002)
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East side Bldg 13. Looking NNE. Train tracks can be seen in the foreground. (ca. 2002)
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South side Bldg 13. Looking NW. Bldg 13 has two sections, high and low. Bldg 41 is in the distance on the left side of the photo. (ca. 2002)
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East side Bldg 15 behind some tooling. Looking west. Bldg 41 is on the right side (north). (ca. 2002)
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Bldg 800 from across Lakewood Blvd. Looking west. The south end of Bldg 5 is on the left side of the photo, Bldgs 3 and 4 are on the right. (ca. 2002)
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Looking east. Bldg 800 in the distance. Bldgs 12 and 13 are on the right side of the photo. (ca. 2002)
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Between 12 and 13 looking south. (ca. 2002)
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The interior of an unidentified building. (ca. 2002)
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Inside of this building has been cleaned out. (ca. 2002)
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Another unidentified interior shot. (ca. 2002)
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These manufacturing buildings have caverous interiors! (ca. 2002)
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The tower (18A) from inside the plant (looking south). The cafeteria building is on the left. (ca. 2002)
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Dock 40, the main receiving area for the Long Beach DAC plant. (ca. 2002)
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The motor pool, garages, and service station, just north of Bldg 41. (ca. 2002)
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Gate 6, the main entrance to the plant (looking out from inside). Long Beach airport is in the background. (ca. 2002)
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The pedestrian walkway over Lakewood Blvd. that connects Bldg 800 to the west side. Looking east. (ca. 2002)
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The north tunnel (exit) and Bldgs 9 and 800. Looking east. (ca. 2002)
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January 12, 2004
New Activity Near Bldg 2
Some new activity, at long last, is visible around the corner of Bldg 2. A crane dropped off a portable office on January 8, and stakebed trucks have been seen going in and out of the barricades. It seems as if most of the work is going on betwen Bldgs 1 and 2 and Bldgs 35 and 36. Unfortunately, getting good photos is a bit of a problem in this area, since it is not visible from the street.
Visit the map for reference.
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Tearing up the parking lot between Bldgs 35 and 36.
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Backhoe loading rocks into dump truck near north end of Bldg 2.
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There is activity around the NE corner of Bldg 2.
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December 29, 2003
End of 2003 Panorama
This panorama shows the progress of the Boeing Long Beach plant demolition at the end of 2003. Buildings 3, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 17 have been removed, but no buildings have fallen in over four months. Visit the panorama page to see how things have changed over the course of 2003.
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December 03, 2003
While we wait...
| While we wait for more visible progress on the PacifiCenter site, work continues on the Skylinks renovation. Catch up on some new photos in the Goodbye Skylinks gallery. A map of the former course layout has been added for reference. |
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| New to the Reading Room is the 1943 Douglas Aircraft Employee Manual You and Your Company. This manual covers everything (well, almost everything) that a new war worker would need to know for their first day on the job. |
If you have any new information on the PacifiCenter project, please share it in the forums. Visible work should be starting "soon", so check back often for the latest news!
November 23, 2003
1961 LB Aerial Photos
The Douglas Long Beach plant in 1961 is the subject of these two aerial photos submitted by reader Steven Parker. Thanks, Steven!
Click on the pictures for the full-size version:
November 18, 2003
Envelopes
| First flights and other aviation events sometimes rate a commemorative issue stamp or envelope. Some of these covers, as they are called, are issued by a proud government. Some are special marketing materials from the aircraft manufacturer. Usually there is wonderful artwork on the front of the envelope and often there is a descriptive letter inside.
Take at a look at our collection of commemorative envelopes in the Heritage section. |
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October 28, 2003
Welcome to the Reading Room
The first few manuals have been added to the brand-spanking-new Reading Room. Please stop in and take a look. Feedback (bug reports, critiques, etc.) is always welcome. There are three manuals to kick things off, all from the WWII era: a safety manual, the DAC plant rules, and a hand signal manual.
The Reading Room is the first section of the planned "Douglas Heritage Collection" that will house selected historical documents, photos, and more from the proud heritage of the Douglas, McDonnell, and Boeing companies.
In other site news, the photos of the Skylinks renovation has been moved to the Outside the Fences gallery section. This will allow interested readers to keep tabs on the golf course renewal, but keep the main focus of the mainstream wilexa.com site on the demolition work.
Thanks for your patience while we work to make this site better every day!
October 20, 2003
Changes are Coming!
More historical photos are on the way! It has always been the intent of this site to build a collection of DAC historical images in addition to the PacifiCenter news.
Thanks to the generous help of Scott Kaczorowski of xb-70.com, the historical images will make their way here in the near future.
Wilexa.com will be undergoing a major renovation this autumn. As the site is rebuilt, visitors are still welcome. Check back often to see the new additions. Please bookmark the home page to be sure to have the latest site news.
To get things started, here are a few sample photos to view. Look forward to many, many high quality/resolution images as we upgrade the site.
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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C-17s in formation flight over Edwards AFB.
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DAC flight test hangar.
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DC-3s on the assembly line.
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Good old days at DAC in Santa Monica.
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Aerial view of the Huntington Beach plant.
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Aerial view of the Long Beach plant. (1970?)
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October 02, 2003
Skylinks is Closed
Skylinks Golf Course closed on Tuesday for a year-long renovation. This municipal course is just to the south of the Boeing plant along the east side of Lakewood Blvd.
According to the Long Beach Press-Telegram,
Skylinks Golf Course will close Tuesday for a one-year, $6 million renovation that includes new hole configurations, expanded landscaping and an upgraded clubhouse.
When the course reopens in October 2004, it will play 475 yards longer and feature new grass, enlarged tees and bigger greens. Landscaping additions include more slope, four lakes and fountains, 700 trees, 1,000 shrubs and course fencing.
The Municipal Golf Commission has also recommended that the course reopen with a new name, Long Beach Legends Golf Course, to coincide with the relocation of the city's Golf Hall of Fame.
Note to readers: Visit our Skylinks photo album in the Outside the Fences pages.
[Updated 2003-10-26]
October 01, 2003
September Panorama
The view has not changed much in the last month. There are the snake-like sandbags in place and blue tarps covering the wells, but other than that, this panorama looks just like the one from the end of August. As always, you can compare with panoramas from the past.
[Note: Apologies for the reflections from the windows. The glare during overcast days is unavoidable.]
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September 29, 2003
Sept 29 General Views
In lieu of a panorama, here are three overview pictures of the PacifiCenter work site. Stay tuned for a proper panorama later this week.
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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General view, looking WNW.
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General view, looking west.
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General view, looking WSW.
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September 25, 2003
New Face for 41
The new portal for Bldg 41A is almost completed. This building, part of the Boeing enclave near the flight line, is not included in the PacifiCenter project. It will continue to see good use for many years. Here are a couple of new photos, along with one taken during the construction (for reference).
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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East side (main entrance) of Bldg 41 during remodel.
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New face on Bldg 41A.
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New portal on the east side of Bldg 41A.
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September 22, 2003
Sandbags
As the rainy season nears, crews are setting out measures to control any water problems. Blue tarps are covering all the little wells and sandbags are being laid out to control any flooding or standing water. In addition to traditional sandbags which have been placed along fences and other perimeter areas, crew have begun laying "continuous sandbags" that look like giant sausages around the edge of the site. The tubes are filled with soil and small rocks from a hopper that is raised on a Marklift. Pretty ingenious.
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Traditional sandbags plus a sandbag tube running inside the fence along Lakewood Blvd.
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Workers laying out an empty sandbag tube.
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A sandbag tube along Lakewood Blvd.
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Looking through the fence.
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The sandbag tube is laid out just north of Bldg 1.
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Superior Sandbag patented continuous sandbag system.
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All the little wells have been covered by blue tarps.
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The soil and rocks in a hopper fill the sandbag tube like a giant sausage.
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September 19, 2003
Torrance Too!
It's not just Long Beach buildings that are feeling blows from an excavator. Julian Chasin snapped a few photos as the proverbial wrecking ball hit Boeing buildings 60, 61, and 62 in Torrance, California earlier this summer. The facility was not part of the main "C6" campus in Torrance, but it was home to a McDonnell Douglas/Boeing crew for nearly 10 years. (The crew moved back to Long Beach).
Located at 21000 South Normandie, the site is being prepared for the construction of over 100 townhomes. Sound familiar? Thanks again to Julian for the pictures.
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Building 61 no more.
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Building 62 in ruins.
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End of an era.
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Going once...
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Going twice...
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Going thrice...
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Gone.
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September 16, 2003
Sept 16 Update
As promised yesterday, here are a couple of photos showing that the electrical substation has indeed been dismantled. Also included today are two snapshots showing a little activity near the northwest corner of Bldg 13.
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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The old main electrical feed to the Westside is gone.
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Turbo Substation dismantled.
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Bldg 12 and 13 from the northwest.
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This crane assisted in dismantling the Stress Substation and power poles along the golf course.
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September 15, 2003
Sept 15 Update
The crane operators have been busy even though the dirt-pushing has been halted of late. In addition to finishing off most of the Turbo electrical substation, they were spotted last Friday on the west side of the project, adjacent to the Lakewood Country Club golf course. Hopefully, we will have some pictures to post very soon. Check back tomorrow.
Please visit our Hangar Talk Forums today! Finn has broken the ice with a nice story in the "I Remember When..." section. Replies and new posts are always appreciated. It's easy!
Editors Note: While you are looking around the forums, please take the time to vote in a couple of polls in the "Polls and Queries" section. This website has grown quite a bit over the last few months and your feedback will make it a better experience for everyone. Registering for the forum is fast and your info (just an email address) is kept hidden and private. Thanks for your time.
Finally, we have taken a few more pictures of the rigs from Precision Sampling, Inc. that were featured here in an article last week. Hopefully these new pictures will better showcase the equipment.
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Precision Sampling, Inc. rigs.
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Precision Sampling, Inc. rigs.
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Precision Sampling, Inc. rig.
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Precision Sampling, Inc. rigs.
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Precision Sampling, Inc. rigs.
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Soil remediation crew.
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September 10, 2003
Turbo Substation
The Turbo electrical substation is getting dismantled this week. Workers are using cranes, cherry pickers, and the like to remove the substation along Carson Street.
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Crane removing electrical substation see from Lakewood Blvd.
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Removing electrical substation from along Carson St.
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Taking down the substation.
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Worker and two cranes at the Turbo substation.
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Turbo substation.
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September 08, 2003
Nothing Happening
We hear that "Phase 1 is complete", whatever that means. There has been virtually no activity at Lakewood and Carson over the past couple of weeks. We also hear that bids for "Phase 2" will go out in October. If you have any insight or information, please post it to our forums or send in an email so that we can share the info. Thanks for your patience!
August 25, 2003
Aug 25 Update
New Feature: On selected photos, look for the "green i" info icon 
. Clicking
on the icon will take you to an annotated version of the current photo, describing building numbers, directions, and other features. View a sample.
Although no buildings have come crashing down, the last week was filled with progress on many "little" things. The north tunnel was filled and graded, many truckloads of dirt were hauled away, and power and tubing lines were connected to a new central container/building. Here are a few pictures. View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Another load of dirt to fill the tunnel.
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North tunnel has been filled and smoothed over.
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Trucks lined up to haul away contaminated soil.
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Worker installing power lines.
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Looking SW at Lakewood and Carson.
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Power poles, plastic tubing, and an orange fence.
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August 24, 2003
Aug 23 SW Pan
A wide shot looking SW from near the bus stop at Lakewood & Carson:
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Annotated Version AvailableAugust 20, 2003
Aug 6 Homeowners Meeting
Local homeowners are organizing a campaign against the residential component of the proposed PacifiCenter development, according to an article in LBReport.com.
August 18, 2003
July 29 Panorama
This July 29th panorama dispels the myth that it never rains in southern California, at least not in the summer. It wasn't much, but you can clearly see the puddles and general wetness. Also, this is the first panorama posted with Bldg 5 is completely gone. To see a comparison over time, visit the panorama page. Thanks to contributor "M.S.S." for this picture!
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North Tunnel Gone
The north tunnel has been removed. The portion of the tunnel to the west of Lakewood Blvd. is just a big dirt hole now. The concrete walls and road were dug up and crushed, leaving only soil behind. View the slide show or examine individual pictures below.
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Taking out the sides and road of the north tunnel.
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The north tunnel is more than half gone.
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The north tunnel is just a big hole now.
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Working on the tunnel debris.
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August 15, 2003
South of Bldg 35
South of Bldg 35 the pace of work seems to be picking up. Bulldozers and other equipment have created a huge mound of dirt and spend time pushing dirt around former parking lots. The access road, though, remains open to give access to the "Boeing enclave".
Also, reader M.S.S. sent in a photo of the daily gathering of trucks back at the main work site. Thanks!
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Former parking lot south of Bldg 35. The road into the old Gate 6 is still visible.
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Former parking lot south of Bldg 12.
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Former Gate 6 and the SW corner of Bldg 35.
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Bulldozer at work.
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A gaggle of trucks.
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August 14, 2003
Tunnel Work
Work on the north tunnel seems to be picking up. Excavators started tearing out the concrete walls of the tunnel on Wednesday afternoon. This follows several days where a truck would drive down (probably under Lakewood Blvd) into the tunnel out of sight every morning. View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Work continues on the north tunnel (at the bottom of this photo). Vehicles would drive into the tunnel every morning.
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Smashing the walls of the north tunnel.
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Digging up the walls of the north tunnel.
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August 13, 2003
(Missing) Bldg 5 Composite
This composite picture was taken to compare with previous versions. Obviously, Bldg 5 is gone and only Bldg 6 is seen in the distance. Nothing left but blue sky. Compare this image with previous versions.
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August 12, 2003
Chemical Milling Tank Info
Regarding this July 10 photo (and the Bldg 5 demolition in general), reader Charley Austin, who worked on the design, construction and start up of new Bldg 5 from 1986-1989 wrote in to give a background on the tanks we see in the Bldg 5 pictures:
The image closest to Carson Street is Tank DC-05. It was the worlds largest Aluminum Chemical Milling Tank, holding 104,400 gallons of chemical milling solution.
It was really cool, it had gull wing type lids on top of it and was 12ft wide by 75 feet long by 15.5ft deep. Specifically designed for chemical milling of the C-17 fuselage sections which drove the width of the tank because they were almost 11ft wide. The C-17 floor beams at the time were one piece machined extrusions that were 68 ft. long.
The weird thing about the picture is (if I remember correctly) I believe that was the first tank we installed and it looks like it was the last to come out. We started putting the chem mill tanks in on the North and worked our way South to the anodize line.
Many thanks go out to Charley for sharing his expert insight!
August 11, 2003
DC-2 On Display
The DC-2 display on "717 Day" at the Long Beach plant was fun to tour. Here are a few pictures, along with the requisite demolition update. We apologize for the long break since the last update, but everyone needs a vacation now and then! View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
DC-2 display at 717 Day, 2003.
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DC-2 display at 717 Day, 2003.
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DC-2 display at 717 Day, 2003.
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DC-2 display at 717 Day, 2003.
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DC-2 display at 717 Day, 2003.
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DC-2 display at 717 Day, 2003.
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DC-2 display at 717 Day, 2003.
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Much of the work appears to involve creating various piles of dirt and rubble.
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A long pile of dirt.
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The pile of debris in the center of this photo is the shed that had been used for maintenance on the excavators the past few months.
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The "swimmimg pool" under former Bldg 5.
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Another shot of the "swimmimg pool" under former Bldg 5.
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July 15, 2003
The Last Piece of Bldg 5
The last piece of Bldg 5 toppled on July 14. It was part of a heat-treating oven that had put up such a fight with the demolition crew. They must be relieved to finally finish it off! View the slide show or examine individual pictures below.
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Last piece of Bldg 5 still standing. But not for long!
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Going, going, ...
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Gone.
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Bldg 5 (at least above-ground part) is history.
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Bldg 5 is gone.
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Tidying up some Bldg 5 debris.
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July 11, 2003
Cleanup Continues
Cleanup continues as they haul away the debris of Bldg 5. Progress is slow but steady. View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Two big chunks still left of Bldg 5.
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Looking west from Bldg 800.
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Chemical milling tank from Bldg 5.
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Looking SW at Lakewood and Carson.
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Fence going up on Carson.
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July 08, 2003
July 7 Progress Pics
Some assorted images showing the progress as of July 7. View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Erecting some power poles.
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Bldg 5 clean up.
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Putting up a fence along Carson St.
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Not much left of Bldg 5.
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View to the south is getting clearer.
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And a wide-angle view that should be familiar by now:
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July 07, 2003
Bldg 41 Renovation
An anonymous reader sent in these views of the west side of the plant. Bldg 41 is currently undergoing renovation. It will remain part of the "Boeing enclave" and will not be demolished. A different fate awaits Bldgs 12 and 13. Click on a image or view the slide show:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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West side of Bldg 12.
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SW corner of Bldg 13.
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East side (main entrance) of Bldg 41 during remodel.
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Bldg 5 Fall... more photos
More images of Bldg 5's last day standing. Courtesy of contributor MSS, here is a mini-panorama:
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And a few snapshots as well. Click on a image or view the slide show:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Bldg 5 after the fall.
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Bldg 5 collapses.
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Bldg 5 after the dust settles.
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June 30, 2003
New worksite overview
Take a look at this latest panorama. For a comparison over time, visit the basic westerly view page.
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June 26, 2003
Fire and Falling Towers
It's Movie Day! Contributor "M.S.S." sends in two movies of recent events. Visit the movies page to view them. Fire and falling towers make great action!
Stairwell tower on Bldg 5 toppling down.
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Bldg 5 fire!
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June 25, 2003
Assorted Photos
While the workers are closing in on the finish line for Bldg 5, now is a good time to catch up on some more assorted photos.
Crews have been busy "planting" little pipes all around the open areas. The ceiling crane (or at least parts of it) is still visible inside Bldg 5. And honorable mention goes to the rectangular "process tank" structure that has kept the godzillas at bay. Each layer takes hours to remove, and each time, there is another beneath it! It looks like the toughest resistance yet met by the team. As always, you can view the slide show or examine individual pictures below.
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Tank structure that is tough, tough, tough!
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Bldg 5 is going...
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Pipes and drums.
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Bldg 5 ceiling detail.
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June 24, 2003
Dump Truck Dumped
Reader "M.S.S." wrote:
I also have a couple of pictures of the dump truck that tipped sideways while back-filling one of the Bldg.3 dig sites. They used one of the tractor trucks to right the dump truck. The dump truck ended up with a flat tire and was out of action for the day.Thanks for the story and the photos! View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Dump truck tipped into hole and stuck.
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Dump truck rescued.
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Bldg 5 Update: June 21
Bldg 5 on Saturday, June 21:
June 21, 2003. Click the picture to compare with past views.
Also available in large (120 KB) and extra large (408 KB) versions.
June 23, 2003
June 23 Update
The north end of Bldg 5 is just beginning to come down. Last Friday they removed the stairwell tower from the NE corner of the building, began chewing on the facade, and generally ripped open a huge section of the east wall. View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Working on a Saturday.
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Bldg 5 and environs.
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Not much left of its former self.
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Good view of inside north wall.
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Loading the truck.
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Looking SW from Lakewood & Carson.
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The stairwell tower is gone.
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Starting to chew on the Bldg 5 facade along Carson St.
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Making more progress. Not much left of the west side of Bldg 5.
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May 29, 2003
Bldg 5 Panorama - May 28
Bldg 5 panorama taken May 28, 2003.
Bldg 5. 28 May 2003. Available in 875 and 1751 pixel width versions. Compare this to the 22 May image.
May 28, 2003
Gravity Lessons Movie
More gravity lessons, courtesy of Sevenson v. Bldg 5.
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Pick a format:
MPEG-4 AVI no sound Quicktime Movie |
Bldg 5 Update - May 28
The east section of Bldg 5 continues to fall.
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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The first day on the job is a biggie for the orange machine.
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More of Bldg 5 is missing.
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May 27, 2003
Bldg 5 Roof Collapse : Movie
Here is a view of some Bldg 5 roof collapsing from street level (no, it's not a Pepsi ad!):
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Pick a format:
MPEG-4 AVI no sound Quicktime Movie |
Bldg 5 Panorama - May 22
22 May 2003. Available in 1000 and 2001 pixel width versions. Compare this to the 15 May image.
Bldg 5 Roof : Photos
The east section of Bldg 5 started to come down on May 22.
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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Bldg 5 with Bldg 801 and Bldg 800 in the background.
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The roof starting to come down on Bldg 5.
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Tearing away at Bldg 5
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Two excavators at work on Bldg 5.
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Excavator in front of Bldg 5.
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Site of former Bldg 17 looking NNW.
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May 20, 2003
North End of Bldg 5
Brisk work going on at the north end of Bldg 5. The little annex is gone. By now it is a familiar refrain: "It was just there a couple of days ago". Compare these two photos, taken a few days apart.
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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At the corner of Lakewood and Carson, looking southwest. Site of former gas station is in foreground.
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Sidewalk is added, but Bldg 5 north extension is gone.
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May 19, 2003
May 19 Update
Office furniture is still being removed from Bldg 5! Those photos and more in todays update!
View the slide show or examine individual pictures below:
Click on a picture to see a larger image:
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East side of Bldg 5.
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Piles of dirt covered with plastic. Bldg 4 in the background.
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Workers in front of Bldg 5.
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Looking south through the side of Bldg 5.
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Clear view of the offices built inside Bldg 5. Site of Bldg 17 is in foreground.
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Looking south. Bldg 5 skeleton, pedestrian bridge, bus stop, and tower in the distance.
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North section of Bldg 5.
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At the corner of Lakewood and Carson, looking southwest. Site of former gas station is in foreground.
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Drilling and removing desks, south of Bldg 5.
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May 15, 2003
May 15 Update
The main work appears to be concentrated on Bldg 5, along with digging holes and covering piles of dirt with plastic sheeting. Come back next week for new snapshots to bring out the details. Here are two new wide-screen images to keep you up to date until then:
Bldg 5 [15 May 2003]:
Compare this to the 12 May image. Also available in big and HUGE versions!
Former site of Bldgs 3, 8, and 9 [15 May 2003]:
Compare this to the 02 May image. Also available in really big, ENORMOUS, and QTVR versions!
May 14, 2003
East Side of Bldg 5 Disappearing
Wow! The east side of Bldg 5 is disappearing fast! It's hard to believe the change in just two days. Especially after considering that they take the 3x5-foot panels off one at a time with bolt cutters. A quick snapshot before it's all gone:
Click the picture for a bit bigger image.
May 12, 2003
Former Bldg 17 Site
There is a big empty spot where Bldg 17 stood a few days ago. Here is a mini-panorama:
Former site of Bldg 17, 12 May 2003:
Click the picture to scroll around in a bigger image.
Also available in Extra Large and QuickTime VR versions.
