* AN UPDATE HAS BEEN POSTED ON JAN. 30th (see below).

The South Bay Power Plant is scheduled to be imploded on Ground Hog Day.

The plant's implosion on Chula Vista’s Bayfront is set for Feb. 2nd at 7 a.m., weather and other conditions permitting. A final decision on whether or not to proceed will be made that morning. The implosion will be carried out only under appropriate weather conditions, including wind speeds of 15 mph or less, as part of a comprehensive plan to protect air and water quality. Join the many folks who will be witnessing, cheering on, recording and/or photographing this historical moment.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/0/6/e/event_198448782.jpeg

The public will be able to watch the dramatic implosion, although details for the port’s viewing event are not yet available. There will be limitations on how close people can get to the site during what Cox has dubbed Chula Vista’s own “Big Bay Boom,” and the port is working to finalize those boundaries.

The actual implosion event will take less than two minutes and will reportedly sound like rolling thunder, with reverberations. A number of small, controlled explosive charges will be placed within the steel and concrete power block structure, in order to bring it down.

Heavy equipment will then be used to break up the structure. The project is expected to generate about 21,000 tons of recyclable metals and up to 3,400 tons of other non-hazardous waste, which will be recycled and salvaged.

This same Power Plant has been on the waterfront of Chula Vista since 1956 & began generating power for Southern California in 1960. It was decommissioned at end of 2011 due to toxic waste leakage into the bay. A demolition permit was approved on June 27, 2012 which paved the way for the South Bay Power Plant to be demolished & removed. The demolition crews have removed close to 24,000 tons of recyclable material including copper, steel, and aluminum. The larger generator units are what is left behind to be imploded.

Parts of the 150-acre area currently occupied by the power plant will be developed while the other parts are returned to a natural habitat. This marks another important step forward in transforming the Chula Vista bayfront into a booming tourist attraction. California Coastal Commission, the City of Chula Vista and Port of San Diego continue bringing forth the proposed plans for a Seaport Village type of development to Chula Vista's 550-acre bayfront. The plan will create jobs with the many retail shops, entertainment venues, restaurants, a hotel resort and convention center.

* UPDATE http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/5/f/4/event_200254292.jpeg

A big thank you to both Jerry Vaughn & James W from The San Diego Photography Collective Meetup Group, we now have a meetup location (check out the diagram I created). Best to show up at 5:00 a.m. sit tight and enjoy the crowds. Chula Vista Bay Front Park will be open for public viewing. The parking opens at 5:00 a.m. (usually opens at 6:00) take the I-5 to "J" street and head west. There should be plenty of police and other help to guide you. The viewing area is NW of the power plant no obstructions.

JAN. 29th, ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SAN DIEGO PORT DISTRICT: The Port suggests spectators park and watch at Chula Vista Bayfront Park at 980 Marina Way. The parking lot will open at 5 a.m. People will not be allowed to park, walk or stop on Bay Boulevard. A restricted zone will stretch approximately 1,000 feet San Diego Bay, said spokeswoman Tanya Castaneda. "The Coast Guard is aware of whats happening. We've consulted with them and they'll be out. If someone gets close, they'll keep an eye out," she said.

EXTRA TIDBIT: When looking through my camera's view finder the focal length which equals to my optic corrected eyes, equals to 70mm zoom. But what is the actual focal length of the eye? I did a google search and found many "answers" ranging from 17mm to 50mm. The correct answer is ~22mm. The following photos are to help everyone see what a 75-300mm zoom lens will capture. You can see that even a regular camera will give you a fairly decent photo of the plant from the park.

Hopefully we can organize group photos before the implosion. See you all there.

~ . ~ ~ . ~ ~ . ~ ~ . ~ ~ . ~ ~ . ~ ~ . ~ ~ . ~

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/1/7/a/event_200257242.jpeg

TOP: Photo taken from the internet to show how a camera can capture the park boundries and the plant without a problem other than a few birds upstaging the shot.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/2/3/8/event_200257432.jpeg

MIDDLE: Thanks to Roy here is a night shot of the plant from Bay Park using a 300 zoom lens. Photo by Roy Ang, a member of The San Diego Photography Collective Meetup Group.

BOTTOM SETS are from Alberto Lau also from The San Diego Photography Collective, Meetup group. He adds, "Pictures were taken with a Sony NEX-6 with 18-200mm zoom (27-300mm equivalent). The first 3 were taken from the Chula Vista Bay Park. The last 2 from the south, near W. Frontage Rd. & Main St. I did not record the zoom settings, but these are the approximate focal lengths (equivalent to 35mm):
1st pic: between 35 and 50mm
2nd pic: 27mm
3rd pic: around 250mm
4th pic: 30mm
5th pic: 275mm
Thank you for helping to post these pictures!"

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/6/0/c/event_200357932.jpeg

…wow lots of excited photographers I am happy thanks to everyone. Here is a link to more photos and detailed information thank Paul B. for your contributions as well.:
http://www.meetup.com/san-diego-photography-meetup/files/

Sheila

Northern San Diego Photography Collective

Hobbies & Passions

Northern San Diego Photography Collective

Historical South Bay Power Plant Implosion Photo Opportunity

Northern San Diego Photography Collective

Details

Members are also interested in