Cinergy Field may be history, but it'll be two more weeks before they turn out the lights.

        The Cinergy Field garage will officially close Oct. 1, and the Reds will begin moving out of their offices in the stadium Oct. 5. Utilities at the stadium will be turned off Oct. 7.

        “Then we'll start stripping the building's interior,” said Mike Sieving, county construction executive.

Cinergy Field, partially dismantled for construction of the new ballpark, will close Oct. 1. (Enquirer file photo) | ZOOM |

        Hamilton County still hasn't decided whether to take the stadium down with a wrecking ball or with explosives, although it is closer to choosing nitroglycerin.

        The county's geotechnical engineers have filed a report saying vibrations from the explosive charges, and the tons of concrete and steel falling to the ground during implosion, will not harm the nearby Roebling Suspension Bridge.

        The report, from H.C. Nutting Company, said vibrations caused from implosion would be 36 percent below the level the bridge was designed to withstand, such as those caused by an earthquake.

        Other structures in the area aren't as great a concern - buildings north of Third Street will be protected by Fort Washington Way, while the new ballpark and National Underground Railroad Freedom Center are built to withstand much more violent ground vibration.

        “The maximum vibration levels monitored at the Suspension Bridge and near the U.S. Bank Arena during the Labor Day Weekend were about one-half those predicted for Cinergy Field implosion,” the report says.

        The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet also has signed off on implosion.

        Mr. Sieving said the county is very close to making a decision on demolition.

        “We have to make a decision in about a week-and-a-half,” Mr. Sieving said. “The contractors are going to need every day, regardless of the method.”

        The stadium will be stripped down to its load-bearing walls before it is destroyed. First to go will be the batter's eye in center field. Then the roof canopy will be taken down, followed by the lights and seats.

        The Cinergy Field garage will be taken down by wrecking ball. The portion over Mehring Way will start coming down Nov. 18, with the roadway remaining closed until Feb. 16.

Pete Rose/Cinergy softball photo gallery

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