(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A scheduled demolition of a portion of the Martin Drake Power Plant took place on Saturday, March 2, and Colorado Springs Utilities (Springs Utilities) said the demolition was successful.

According to Springs Utilities, the demolition planned for Saturday pulled down a large segment of the main building using cables and heavy machinery. However, despite efforts to mitigate the impacts of demolition, there was a bit of community alarm due to the work.

Springs Utilities said a dust cloud generated calls to the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD), fire crews arrived as a precaution but did not remain according to Springs Utilities.

Springs Utilities said the safety of the surrounding neighborhoods remains the primary focus and the community was safe thanks to prior reduction work.

Springs Utilities wants to inform the community that they can expect to see a tint over the cooling tower at the power plant for further reduction efforts and does not expect a repeat of the impact on the community. Two of the three stacks are scheduled to be demolished but in a measured fashion, using a large crane to bring the stacks down 20 feet at a time.

Springs Utilities said it expects both cooling towers to finish being demolished by the end of March with all demolition work finished by the end of 2024.