Some residents say controversy surrounding demolitions put to rest

Watchers gathered by the hundreds on hilltops and behind windows some watching the weekend’s events from a birds-eye view.

Some neighbors said farewell to pieces of their hometown’s history. While others can’t wait to say hello to a Triple-A ball field.

But the blast people saw on Sunday wasn’t a decision that came without a fight. Groups against the stadium plan tried to stall the demolition demanding the baseball idea be put to a public vote.

But city council’s 4-to-3 vote in September gave the green light to the sports group to tear down City Hall, build a stadium and relocate city government through purchases of multiple properties.

Environmental concerns and sheer nostalgia surrounded the demolition of Asarco’s last remaining smoke-stacks.

But when a private buyer was never found to rehab the old smelter and with the thumbs up from the TECQ we said goodbye to the stacks, just after the sun came up Saturday morning.

The Sunday night skyline is a little less full now. But even without the lights something bright for neighbors to hold on to. The idea that someday a ballpark will take the place of all that rubble.

Perhaps those cheering onlookers covered in dust on Sunday will be cheering a home run in the same spot one year from today.