Clearing the Runway
February 03, 2026
Once a hub of American aviation manufacturing, the Curtiss-Wright Airplane Plant in St. Louis, Missouri, stood as a reminder of decades of military innovation. Built during World War II, the sprawling complex — later used by McDonnell Douglas and Boeing — produced fighter jets and even spacecraft for NASA. But in 2025, after more than 80 years of service, the 1.3-million-square-foot facility came down to make way for Boeing’s next generation of aircraft production. The demolition, completed by NDA member Renascent, marked a pivotal step in Boeing’s billion-dollar expansion of its St. Louis footprint. The cleared area will soon host new auxiliary buildings to support production of the recently awarded F-47 Fighter Jet program.
A Legacy Site, a New Mission
The Curtiss-Wright site was located just west of Boeing’s existing F-15 and F-18 fighter jet production lines and less than 100 yards north of the runways at Lambert–St. Louis International Airport. The main production facility encompassed approximately 645,000 square feet — 408,000 of which included a basement — along with two office buildings and two auxiliary structures. Renascent’s team was selected for the project based on its strong safety record, experience with complex and high-profile demolitions, and its familiarity with secure and airport-adjacent environments. “Renascent had the experience not only with large, high-profile projects but also with airport facilities where specific precautions are needed,” says Rick Hall, Renascent’s director of project management.
Methodical Execution
Work began in May 2024 with asbestos abatement, followed by selective demolition and universal waste removal through the summer. Full-scale structural demolition commenced on Feb. 17, 2025, and wrapped up on schedule by Aug. 15, 2025 — a six-month effort that remains on track for related site work to continue through the end of the year. Renascent deployed a powerful fleet of heavy equipment, including a Hitachi EX1200-6, CAT 352 UHD High Reach excavator, multiple CAT 336EL and 365CL excavators, a CAT 950K loader, Liebherr LH60M wheeled material handler, CAT D6N LGP dozer, and other excavators, hammers and support vehicles. The demolition strategy was straightforward but carefully managed. The team took down the steel structure section by section, sorted debris by material type, and hauled it for processing. Stage two focused on removing concrete slabs, foundation walls and footings before rough-grading the site for the construction crews who were ready to follow close behind. Given the site’s proximity to active runways, preventing light debris from migrating toward the airport was an ongoing priority. To manage the enornmous volume of materials, Renascent installed an on-site truck scale and implemented Livegistics digital tracking with Waste Management to monitor and document all haul-offs in real time.
Step-By-Step Progress
Before structural work began, all utilities were disconnected by the owner. After asbestos abatement, Renascent’s selective demolition crew handled the removal of bulbs, ballasts, thermostats and other universal wastes, while a refrigerant recovery contractor cleared all HVAC units across the complex. Once the site was cleared for demolition, the CAT 352 high-reach excavator — equipped with a shear — cut through key structural elements so sections of the one-story plant could be safely brought down. Other machines sorted and transported debris into dedicated piles for landfill disposal or salvage.
Team and Timeline
At peak activity, the project employed around 28 equipment operators, seven laborers, a superintendent and a safety director. Coordinating such a large crew on a high-security site adjacent to an international airport required exceptional planning and communication. Renascent also navigated challenges involving local labor coordination and truck availability. While local unions provided strong support overall, there were occasional disputes over work rules that limited access to certain skilled personnel. Additionally, finding enough trucks for continuous hauling proved difficult in the busy St. Louis construction market. Despite those obstacles, Renascent’s team adapted to keep the project on schedule.
Defining Success
For Renascent, success begins and ends with safety. The Curtiss-Wright project was completed without major injuries or incidents, an important achievement on a site of this size and complexity. “Every demolition project we’ve done has serious safety risks,” says Steve Jarvis, Renascent’s director of safety. “That is why we are so obsessed with clear organization, intelligent planning and precise execution. We have thorough processes in place to mitigate risk and keep our people safe. This project was yet another example of safely clearing the way for a new beginning. That is a true win.” Beyond safety, the team measured success through client satisfaction and financial performance. The company met all project goals for Boeing and general contractors Paric/Barton Malow, delivered the site ready for new construction and maintained a spirit of collaboration with all stakeholders. Once the project wrapped, nearly 17,000 tons of metal, including copper, had been recycled, turning the remnants of an aviation legacy into materials ready for the future.