Photo of the Pontiac Silverdome. Former home of the Detroit Lions.

Image Credit: Ken Lund (CC BY_SA 2.0)

The Pontiac Silverdome, located in Pontiac, Michigan, was home to the Detroit Lions from 1975 until 2001. Since 2001, the Pontiac Silverdome has been sitting idly and decaying. There are have been several efforts to revive the venue, however, nothing meaningful has ever come to fruition. Various events were held at the Silverdome as late as 2013. Triple Investment Group of Toronto, Ontario purchased the Pontiac Silverdome in 2009 for $583,000 at a public auction. After a snowstorm destroyed the stadium’s roof in 2013, the Silverdome began to decay at an even quicker pace.

Demolition of the Silverdome’s upper level will begin at 8:30 AM on Sunday, December 3, 2017. The demolition will be conducted by Adamo Group, a demolition contractor based in Detroit. Adamo Group also conducted the demolition of the Georgia Dome, former home of the Atlanta Falcons, only two weeks ago. It will only take 300 lbs. of dynamite to demolish the Pontiac Silverdome since the stadium is comprised primarily of steel.

The Detroit Lions began playing their home games at Ford Field in downtown Detroit in 2002. The Pontiac Silverdome was also home to the NBA’s Detroit Pistons from 1978 to 1988 until the team moved to the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The Detroit Pistons have now relocated to downtown Detroit where they share Little Caesars Arena with the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. Other notable events that were held at the Pontiac Silverdome include Super Bowl XVI (1982), the 1979 NBA All-Star Game and WrestleMania III (1987).

Detroit residents that are interested in watching the implosion of the Pontiac Silverdome can do so by parking at the Oakland County Water Resource Commission at 155 North Opdyke Road in Pontiac. All cars should be parked by 8:15 AM. Over the next year, Adamo Group will also handle the cleanup of the debris from the implosion. What will become of the 127-acre site is still unknown, however, it is not expected to sit vacant for long.

 

Reference:

DetroitNews.com 

 

 

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