While investigation and planning efforts are moving forward for the remediation of One River Street, Atlantic Richfield Company (ARC) has begun removing structurally unsound buildings.

After a thorough survey of the existing structures - most of which were in poor condition and several were simply beyond saving - ARC launched its demolition in fall of 2004 with the former administrative building for the old Anaconda Wire and Cable Company (AWC). The building had been damaged by fire and was in danger of collapse. In the spring and summer of 2005, several more unsafe buildings were taken down to prepare the site for remediation.

ARC hired a well-respected team to handle the demolition: Pinnacle Environmental Corporation handled asbestos removal and Compass Environmental brought the buildings down. Pinnacle is a leader in asbestos removal in New York and is well-known for handling complex asbestos removal projects on buildings near Ground Zero after 9/11. Compass is a national company with a strong emphasis on safe demolition projects.

Following ARC's strict health and safety guidelines, as well as state and federal requirements, the companies removed and disposed of materials potentially contaminated with asbestos and then brought down the buildings. The companies used a number of procedures to limit dust, including soaking the buildings with water from industrial-strength hoses throughout the entire process. In addition, all of the work was performed using real-time air monitors to guard against the potential of airborne transport of contaminants.

Licensed haulers removed demolished materials using specially designated truck routes and following local, state and federal guidelines.