AHRENS CONTRACTING: BARNES JEWISH HOSPITAL

Pages 51-64 Aggregate Production and Recycling Section

For more information on crushing, screening and recycling equipment, visit CEG's Web site at www.constructionequipmentguide.com. Ahrens Contracting: Barnes Jewish Hospital

Queeny Tower Demolition Makes Way for BJC’s Campus Renewal

Ted Ahrens (L) and Roger Kent, project manager, on the site of Barnes Jewish Hospital’s Queeny Tower demolition with its excavators from Roland Machinery Company.

By Katherine Petrik

CEG EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

When Barnes Jewish Hospital (BJC) in St. Louis planned its Campus Renewal Project, it was decided that Queeny Tower would be demolished to make way for a new, 660,000-sq.-ft., 16-story tower. The $1 billion Campus Renewal project aims to provide patients with a better experience, as well as better resources for future medical students and staff.

Ahrens Contracting Inc., based in St. Louis, was awarded the demolition contract. Ahrens specializes in demolition, excavation and environmental remediation, and provides hydro-excavation, hauling and disposal services. Ted Ahrens said the job has been good and there have been no injuries. He is very proud of the work done on this project.

Although shut down in 2020, due to COVID-19, the Ahrens crew began work in the spring of 2021 and wrapped up at the end of October. The goal was to bring down the tower safely and leave the foundation intact, as it will be used for shoring in the construction of the new tower.

The 320-ft. tall building was built in the late ’60s and was brought down with several 12,000-lb. excavators and the help of a 365-ton crane. Six Komatsu excavators with pulverizer attachments were on site to break up the concrete and steel, preparing it to be recycled and clearing the site for excavation work.

The Komatsu excavators on site include a PC490LC, a PC450LC, a PC400 and aPC350 — all from Roland Machinery.

“We have a long-standing relationship with Roland,” said Ahrens. “They’ve always been behind us with support.”

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