Council to hire explosives experts to bust up foundation

A Walla Walla based company will be hired by the City of Ritzville to use strategically placed explosives to fracture and break up the 20-inch thick concrete foundation of the old high school.

Council members decided Tuesday to take that route, which will take just a few days to complete, rather that have Eastside Wood Recycling rent heavy equipment and a hydraulic breaker. Using the hydraulic breaker would take up to three weeks to break up the foundation and cost about the same amount as the explosives option.

The foundation is several feet deep and is up to 20-inches thick.

Council member Ben Cross said the explosives company will charge between $15,000 and $18,000.

After the concrete is broken up, the city will use Eastside Wood Recycling to remove it out of the hole and haul it away. The cost for that service is not yet known.