Timberloch Tower in The Woodlands to be demolished

An 11-story building that functioned as an office building for Anadarko Petroleum Corp., off of Timberloch Place and The Woodlands Waterway, is pictured on Monday, March 13, 2017. The building is scheduled for implosion in about six weeks. less An 11-story building that functioned as an office building for Anadarko Petroleum Corp., off of Timberloch Place and The Woodlands Waterway, is pictured on Monday, March 13, 2017. The building is scheduled for ... more Photo: Michael Minasi, Staff Photographer Photo: Michael Minasi, Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Timberloch Tower in The Woodlands to be demolished 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

If Woodlands residents wake to the sound of a loud boom in the coming month, there's no need to be alarmed. Preparation for the demolition of 1200 Timberloch Place in The Woodlands will take place over the next six weeks, leading up to its tentatively scheduled implosion in mid-April, according to a news release by Montgomery County officials.

Demolition of the parking garage accompanying the 11-story building on The Woodlands Waterway began last week by "conventional means," and construction crews are clearing the site.

Timberloch Tower was built in 1998 and was purchased by purchased by oil and gas company Anadarko Petroleum Corporation in 2010, according to an article by the Houston Chronicle.

Anadarko Spokesperson John Christiansen said the demolition of Timberloch Tower has been in the works for a while, with the building having been vacant for roughly a year. Employees in the office building were consolidated into Anadarko's two other Woodlands locations, Allison Tower and Hackett Tower.

"Our plan short-term is to reforest that site, per The Woodlands Township Standards," Christiansen said. "Long term, removing them (Timberloch Tower and parking garage) gives us more flexibility in the future to build something more efficiently."

Christiansen said implosion of Timberloch Tower was chosen because Anadarko believes it is the quickest, safest and least disruptive demolition method for the community.

This project involves coordination from multiple departments, including demolition contractors D.H. Griffin of Texas, Inc., The Woodlands Township, Montgomery County Fire Marshal's Office, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and the Precinct 3 Constable's Office. Officials with Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack's office will work with the Montgomery County Engineer's Office to review traffic plans.

"We participated in the initial planning session, and county Fire Marshal Jimmy Williams and his office have taken the lead in coordinating with other agencies and departments," said Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal in a statement. "Our job, should Anadarko and The Woodlands Township believe this is the best means to demolish the building, is to ensure the implosion takes place safely and with minimal disruption to the public."

Montgomery County Fire Marshal Jimmy Williams said his office will approve the demolition plans once they are provided. This is the first implosion project in Montgomery County, to his knowledge.

"Over the next few weeks, there will be additional meetings to look at the (demolition) plans they've submitted, but the exact date and time is still to be determined," Williams said.

Williams said that while "nothing is set in stone yet," blast projects are usually done in the early morning on a weekend, as to not impact business travel.

Assistant General Manager for Community Services with The Woodlands Township John Powers said the Township will directly notify neighbors and property owners about timing and road closures surrounding the demolition. Since there is no concrete date set, Powers said The Township will also notify events - such as The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival and the Ironman triathalon - so the events can plan for traffic control.

Following Timberloch Tower's implosion, Powers said Anadarko will propose a plan to the Township's Development Standards Committee for approval of the site's restoration and reforestation.