For Immediate Release
Contact: Fran Smith
fran.smith@ettp.doe.gov
(865) 241-6226
Oak Ridge, Tenn., October 24, 2012 – URS | CH2M Oak Ridge, LLC (UCOR) started
demolition on the north end of the K-25 Building today, signifying the next major step toward
completing demolition of the Manhattan Project-era building.
The K-25 Building, located at the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP), was composed of
three major sections—the east and west wings and the north end—which were aligned in a “U”
shape that was more than a mile around. The north end forms the base of the “U” and is the
smallest of the three sections.
Demolition of the west and east wings is complete, with the exception of a small section of the
east wing that requires further deactivation due to the presence of technetium-99 (Tc-99), a slowdecaying
radioactive metal. Previous plans called for the north end to be preserved for historic
purposes, but in July, federal, state, and local historic preservation groups signed an agreement
establishing an alternative plan that allows the north end to be demolished, while still
recognizing the historic significance of the site.
“This is a tremendous day for employees,” said Leo Sain, UCOR President and Project Manager.
“We have been working toward this since we arrived at ETTP, and it’s a testament to people
here, at the Department of Energy, and at all the agencies who worked together to make this
happen.”
The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management anticipates the demolition of the north end
to be complete in January. Following the removal of the north end, workers will continue predemolition
activities in the remaining Tc-99 area of K-25’s east wing.
“Completing demolition of the K-25 Building is our highest priority, and this is another
significant step toward that goal,” said Mark Whitney, Oak Ridge’s EM manager.
2
In addition to deactivating and demolishing the K-25 Building, UCOR is responsible for other
specific scopes of work at ETTP, the Y-12 National Security Complex, and the Oak Ridge
National Laboratory.
