(19 Aug 1995) English/Nat

One of America's biggest high rise housing estates was spectacularly demolished on Saturday.

Six multi-storey buildings in Baltimore were felled in a controlled explosion using dynamite.

Lafayette Courts will be replaced by new, low-rise accommodation.

Former residents turned out to witness the destruction of their old homes.

Few regretted the demise of their former residences - the project was one of the largest in the country, second only to one in Chicago.

Baltimore's Housing Authority agreed to the widespread criticism of the buildings being poorly designed and badly built and agreed to their destruction.

Multiple cameras recorded the passing of the relic in an era of public housing.

Tenants who witnessed the blast gave their verdict:

VOXPOP:
"All of us got together and we've got it there. I'm so glad. I'm going back as soon as they build it back up."

"I'm glad to see these buildings going down. It's been a drug infested area with those buildings and it's been hard to fight fires in those buildings and it's just a blessing to the neighbourhood to see the buildings have gone".

From this rubble, Phoenix-like, new low-rise, user-friendly houses will be built.

Those who suffered most from their former homes will directly benefit from its destruction - the bricks from it will be on sale for one dollar each.

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