Last of Menzieshill multis to be brought down this week
They have dominated the western approach to Dundee for some 40 years but by later this week they will all be gone.
A view from the A90, showing the last multi being pulled down.
- Published in the Courier : 05.03.11
- Published online : 07.03.11 @ 12.23pm
Hillside Court, the last of the five Menzieshill multis, is disappearing fast and by Wednesday contractor Safedem believes it will have completed the carefully-planned mechanical dismantling of the 14-storey tower.
The removal of the blocks — the others were Balgay, Gowrie, Glamis and Ninewells Courts — began a year ago after their last tenants were rehoused and the buildings were declared surplus to requirements.
They have been pulled down by crane rather than demolished by explosives because explosions would have created massive dust storms that would have reached Ninewells Hospital.
But the process has not been dust-free, and Robert Chapman, Safedem's contracts manager of the site, praised the patience and understanding of people living in surrounding streets.
"We've been as careful as we possibly can but the neighbours have had to put up with some dust being blown around," he said. "We've tried to keep it to a minimum but I know the stoor has been getting into people's washing.
"People may have been waiting for a fine blowy day to get their washing on the line only for the stoor to come down and stick to it, which must have been very frustrating.
"We're really sorry about this and I thank the people around here for putting up with us. All I can say is that by about Wednesday of next week it should all be over and the last multi will be completely down."
The blocks were once home to around 1000 people and afforded spectacular views over Invergowrie Bay and up the Tay and Carse of Gowrie.
To incomers from the west, they provided a stark welcome to the city and over the years their popularity with tenants waned and maintenance costs rose.
They were declared surplus in 2004, and after next week the land on which they stood will be sold and the proceeds reinvested to help the city council meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard for its remaining stock.
The next multis due for demolition are at Maxwelltown in Alexander Street.
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