AC Spark Plug plant now mostly rubble

FLINT (WJRT) -- (11/12/08)-- For the past seven months, workers have been demolishing large portions of the Flint Delphi East plant.

Much of the work hasn't been visible until recently.

Now, with huge walls disappearing, people are growing alarmed to see the demolition of the landmark.

ABC12's Randy Conat has the story.

Most of the sprawling industrial complex that used to be called AC has been reduced to rubble. And that has attracted some who used to work there.

Walt Luginbuhl had 42 years at AC.  "Makes me sad when I think about it. I think there has been a lot of bad planning at the high end. They blame the union. I blame upper management."

Tom Price worked there for 35 years.  "It's just sad to see such a good place go."

For 80 years, General Motors depended on the plant for spark plugs, filters and other automotive parts. At its peak, 13,000 workers were employed at the AC plant.

In the past few years, work dwindled and large areas of the complex were closed. About 1,100 people still work in the remaining buildings. Many who grew up in Flint are appalled to see the plant pulverized.

"It's a crying shame," Jimmy Davis said.

"I just can't hardly believe it. I'm in shock really," admitted barbara Marquand.

Delphi says 115 acres at the site will be leveled. The demolition job is being performed by the same company that tore down Chevy in the Hole. Ninety percent of the materials will be recycled. The work should be done by next spring.

"It's so sad; almost brings me to tears," Irene Hyatt said.

UAW Local 651 is selling bricks from the spark plug plant for $5 each with proceeds going to the United Way Build-a-Ramp Program.

This was a farmer's field 100 years ago. Today, it's a field of rubble and heartache.

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