LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Highview neighborhood home where a hoarded supply of hazardous materials were discovered in July will be slowly dismantled by an excavator in a process that will take less than a month, according to Louisville's mayor.
Mayor Craig Greenberg made the announcement during a news conference Wednesday afternoon. Calling the process a "controlled mechanical demolition of the property," Greenberg said he believed the neighborhood would not need to be evacuated.
"I think this was the better option just because having to relocate everyone was a bigger hassle than burning the house itself," Jasmine Perez, Highview resident, said.
The announcement marks a change in strategy from the city's original plan in August for a "controlled burn" of the home. That plan was scrubbed after consultations with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
"We have a new primary strategy," Greenberg said. "We have agreed to allow the EPA to proceed with a controlled mechanical demolition of the property located at 6213 Applegate Lane, pending final approval of the plan."
Greenberg said the process is not expected to begin until October, and that it "should take less than a month."
He said the excavator would be used to remove the roof and walls of the home, before scooping up the remaining material and placing it all in a steel container on the property. The contents would then be removed and disposed of with guidance from the EPA.
Mayor Greenberg said, as far as he knows, Hibel doesn't have the resources to financially help with this demolition. However, if he learns otherwise, the mayor may look to Hibel for compensation. Pending final approval, the EPA will pay for it.
"Anything that can save us some local tax dollars is always good," Zelma Ward, Highview resident, said.
Although Greenberg said the action would not require a neighborhood-wide evacuation, some nearby residents might have to be removed from the area temporarily during portions of the procedure.
"We don't have immediate family to go to if we have to relocate," Perez said. "We also have a lot of animals, so that is our big concern."
Greenberg said security will remain on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until the conclusion of the dismantle.
The investigation started July 27, when police went to the home on Applegate and arrested Marc Hibel, 53, on a tip that he "may be in possession of homemade explosives."
Officials found more than 20 dangerous chemicals in the home. Police said Hibel "is a chemist by trade and admitted to possessing laboratory-grade equipment and chemicals."
Hibel pleaded not guilty to wanton endangerment and burglary charges.
The city of Louisville filed a demolition order Aug. 1 for the adjacent home at 6213 Applegate Lane. The paperwork said the home and the adjacent garage have "known explosives, explosive fumes or vapors or the presence of toxic fume gases, or material." It also said that if the buildings were ignited, they'd be in "imminent danger" of collapse, possibly endangering anyone around.
Hibel has asked a judge to issue an order that would prevent the city or state from “burning, demolishing, or destroying,” his home. He claims destroying his home would damage evidence in his defense.
A hearing has not been held on that motion yet, but it could halt the city's demolition plans. Hibel's next scheduled court date is a pretrial conference for October 30, 2023.
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