For one thing, the use of a wrecker's ball on a crane, a standard demolition tool in many locations, is not permitted in the city because of tight clearances. Indeed, the destruction of even big structures is largely a hand-labor undertaking, which uses crowbars, air powered hammers and sometimes small tractors. Demolition has become big business in the Times Square area as the long awaited renewal of the faded show district gets under way. Streets has already been cleared, and the 48-story office building being built by the Durst Organization is starting to rise. Now, to the west, demolition on both the north and south sides of 42d Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues is beginning in preparation for the construction of new multiscreen movie theaters, restaurants and stores.
Engineers estimate that the theater weighs four million pounds.
Although the buildings to be demolished on 42d Street are no more than six stories in height, tearing down structures in an area that is host to more than 20 million tourists a year requires careful planning. And there are all kinds of city regulations. In addition to making sure that no homeless people have camped out in empty buildings, redevelopers have to use an exterminator to prevent rodents displaced by the wreckers from moving into neighboring buildings. And they have to certify that electric, water, gas and sewer utilities have been disconnected. Because Times Square is a major transportation hub, subway lines loom large in demolition plans.