At least one Downtown Jacksonville building was damaged by the implosion of the old City Hall Annex building Sunday morning.
While it only took a few seconds to level the 16-story building along East Bay Street, construction crews and city personnel spent much of Sunday cleaning up debris in the surrounding area.
The 8 a.m. implosion at 220 E. Bay St. sent debris toward the Blackstone Building across the street from the property, breaking about a dozen windows.
City spokeswoman Marsha Oliver said Sunday that the implosion proceeded according to plan.
“To promote safety and well-being, citizens and business personnel within the exclusion zone were instructed to shelter in place,” she said.
“Any damage to property resulting from the implosion is being addressed by the contractor and repaired promptly.”
Environmental Holdings Group LLC of Mooresville, North Carolina, and Controlled Demolition Inc. performed the implosion.
The city and the contractor chose to perform the demolition on Sunday saying previously that there is usually less traffic and not as many activities.
Crews began breaking down the structure, as well as the former Duval County Courthouse building, in October. To minimize damage to neighboring properties, EHG removed hazardous materials and most of the interior before Sunday’s implosion.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office set up the exclusion zone– bounded by North Main, East Adams and North Liberty streets, as well as Independent Drive – at 7 a.m. Sunday.
Cleanup and further demolition work will continue through May on the City Hall site and on the former Duval County Courthouse property.
The buildings are being demolished to make way for future development.
Government offices are closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
