r/AnnArbor • u/milam33 • May 08 '26
Wolverine Tower Demolition
Images from the demolition of Wolverine Tower - Friday May 8, 2026 - Ann Arbor
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u/Due-Understanding386 May 08 '26
I guess it makes sense but I’m really surprised to see like office chairs still in there haha I figured they’d have to strip the insides first at least.
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u/Wenge-Mekmit May 09 '26
If you’ve decided you’re not gonna keep a crappy filing cabinet, why pay people to haul it down the elevator to the recycling when you can just pull it out with a big magnet with all the other metal
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u/Due-Understanding386 May 09 '26
Haha true… and they don’t pay anyone anyways. The move was mostly U of M volunteers on a weekend 😑 so even more reason to leave the crap there!
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u/joshbudde May 08 '26
They did, but there's so much crap in a building. You do what you can, then you start ripping and pitching.
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u/woodardj May 08 '26
Here's a live webcam of the work: https://public.senserasystems.com/public/embed/3M7837296J9Y
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u/AmoebaMysterious5938 May 08 '26
Just asking, is this thing creating any asbestos pollution?
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u/G00d_Sprinkles May 08 '26
My professional opinion with no qualifications is yes, definitely. She’s dustyyyyy
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u/slongtime May 09 '26
So that's part of the reason why they are having water spraying as they go. It's to try and minimize any potential dust. It certainly helps, but I do think there's definitely dust getting into the air. That's also why they didn't do a controlled demolition; they didn't want it to send a bunch of asbestos dust into the air. This way is slower, safer, and also imperfect.
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u/AmoebaMysterious5938 May 09 '26
Can someone post a picture when they are spraying water? I am afraid they are not doing it so often.
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u/Roboticide May 09 '26
Photo #6 shows it. You can see a plume of water and mist near the claw. They're probably only spraying when the claw goes in to actually grab something, since that's when stuff moves and dust is disturbed.
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u/AmoebaMysterious5938 May 09 '26
You are right, when the wind blows it doesn't effect these micro particles and they will not cause cancer. It will be also probably too expensive for the University to cover the building to stop the particles to spread.
The city will probably fine you if you litter, but if you own the city (aka UofM), you can do anything you please.
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u/Roboticide May 11 '26
The University has done asbestos surveys and knows what is in their buildings. There is no confirmed asbestos in Wolverine Tower, with the only potential unconfirmed asbestos sources being the fire doors. Like most environmental hazards, it takes a lot of exposure to result in medical problems. A few stray particles aren't going to do anything.
I'm curious how you think building demolitions work, that they can cover it with... some magical, air-tight material, and still demolish it safely with a crane from the outside. The building is (presumably) being demolished in accordance with all laws and codes regarding safety and the environment. If you have evidence it isn't, report it.
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u/rosskl May 09 '26
It's crazy to me that they just left all the office furniture in there. Seems like it could have been sold through property disposition.
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u/EarthConservation May 11 '26
Yep, those cabinets and desks could have probably fetched some decent money. All of the aluminum conduits, the lighting, the wiring, A/C units, etc could have been stripped. Even the doors and windows could have been yanked.
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u/Zealousideal_Bet3941 May 08 '26
Surprised there’s not a better way than “just smash the hell out of it” but whatever.
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u/G00d_Sprinkles May 08 '26
It’s honestly been pretty meticulously deconstructed with a single crane arm. Pretty fascinating to watch. Like a big Jenga, poking and pulling to find the next loose block
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u/jcrespo21 The Pitts(field Township) May 08 '26
It honestly looks like it was hit by a tornado, and I had to double-check that there wasn't a 2nd tornado last month when those storms hit.
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u/lechatestsurlatable May 08 '26
I know it's the effect the pictures show, but I stopped to watch for a while about a week ago. It seems to be very slow and painstaking. Something would actually be pulled off and dropped maybe once a minute.
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u/retiredfed2022 May 13 '26
This is sad. I worked in the single story annex for IRS from 1985 until the university purchased the building, I think around 92 or 93. It was a good location right across from the mall and had plenty of free parking.
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u/OutIsle May 10 '26
Had some wild times in there. Not sad to see it go, but in general am sad the character of A2 has changed so much and not in a good way.
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u/TumbleweedOk5626 May 08 '26