Community Empowerment

ICYMI: Implosion of the Western Youth Institute in Morganton, NC

In case you missed it: the demolition of the abandoned Western Youth Institution (WYI), a former youth corrections facility, occurred on Saturday July 11th at 9:00am EST. The building was a 16-story “High Rise,” the tallest building on the site with some even claiming it to be the tallest building in Burke County. The prison was built in 1971 and was closed for operation in 2013. The site had lower structures that were demolished in the previous months. The cleared parcel will be the home for the future North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) Morganton Regional Readiness Center. Our very own, Frank Slinsky—NCNG Project Manager, Jake Lewis—Project Engineer, and Paul Nail—Drone Pilot, were all onsite for the implosion and were able to capture some explosive footage. Check it out below!

Timmons Group has a long-standing relationship with the NCNG and has provided planning, site design, permitting, construction contract management, surveying, geotechnical, environmental, and landscape architecture services for numerous North Carolina National Guard facilities, including Morganton, throughout the State.

An arial view of the Western Youth Institute in Morganton, NC. It is a large, tall, slender tan building.

Two side by side images. On the right is two Timmons Group team members in neon green attire looking down at a tablet. On the left is a selfie of two Timmons Group team members in neon green vests and white Timmons Group branded hard hats.

A drone laying in the grass with the Western Youth Institute in the background.

A drone shot of the Western Youth Institute and the surrounding rural area.

An arial shot of the Western Youth Institute after being imploded, smoke billows away from the wreckage.

The wreckage from the Western Youth Institute implosion as smoke billows. Timmons Group team members in neon-colored vests look on.

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Timmons Group

At Timmons Group, our mission is to achieve an unparalleled understanding of our clients, their businesses, and their visions, resulting in unrivaled customer service and shared success. Through engineering, design, and technology, our teams are strategically positioned to help you achieve every level of your project needs while keeping your vision and values at the forefront of our partnership.

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