GOVERNORS ISLAND — Wile E. Coyote wouldn't stand a chance with these explosives.
Governors Island officials ceremoniously set off a Road Runner-worthy detonator to mark the implosion of the tallest building on Governors Island.
"The demolition of Building 877 is a major milestone in the transformation of Governors Island," Ronay Menschel, chair of The Trust for Governors Island, said in a statement. "A beautiful sports field will be constructed in the space cleared of this building as part of the island's new park,"
At 7:36 a.m. on Sunday morning Building 877 turned to dust before the eyes of more than a hundred onlookers who stood before it.
Viewers counted down from ten just second before the explosion.
"I have never seen anything like it," said 11-year-old Ethan Laird in disbelief. "It was very cool."
The 11-story brick building was built in 1968, and though it once housed members of the Coast Guard and their families, it has been vacant since 1996. It took ten seconds and more than 200 pounds of dynamite to implode the obsolete building.
The implosion was visible from Battery Park, Liberty State Park, and the Staten Island Ferry.
The incoming 30-acre park will include a hammock grove, plaza, two turf ball fields, and a public art space. Construction is scheduled for completion later this year.
