Police to cordon off district of Abu Dhabi ahead of demolition

Abandoned development will make way for a major regeneration of the port

Abu Dhabi Police prepares for demolition of Mina Plaza towers. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Police.

Latest: Relief as Abu Dhabi's Mina Zayed shopkeepers allowed to remain open

Abu Dhabi Police are putting safety measures in place before the demolition of an abandoned development in Mina Zayed next week.

Mina Plaza, a cluster of unfinished tower blocks, will be razed to the ground on Friday, November 27, as the second phase of a major regeneration of the port area gets under way.

The buildings will be destroyed in a process expected to last a matter of seconds.

On Wednesday, the force said it had held a special meeting to ensure the demolition takes place safely.

“For this operation to succeed, it is necessary that all concerned parties co-ordinate with one another,” said Col Hamad Al Niyadi, who is leading the mission.

Media alerts will notify the public of how to keep safe during the demolition, police said.

As part of the efforts, U-turns on the main street of Mina Zayed have been blocked since the beginning of the week.

Buildings in the area are to be temporarily closed from Thursday, November 26.

“We have been notified that we should close the gym on Thursday, in preparation for the demolition, and on Friday because they will be clearing up the area,” said Abdulla Al Blooshi, co-founder of Desert Shield Fitness, a gym located at the Cruise Terminal.

The ambitious project – spanning three million square metres – will include overhauling existing souqs and building separate facilities for fish, fruit and vegetable markets.

No date has been disclosed as to when the existing shops will be asked to relocate.

The Department of Municipalities and Transport this year carried out tests to prepare for the demolition of the tower block.

Its engineers assessed the amount of explosives needed for the demolition and the noise and vibrations that will result.

Abu Dhabi's Aldar, with Modon Properties, is developing the area.

Opened in the 1970s, Mina Zayed has served as the main port in the emirate of Abu Dhabi for more than 40 years.

Mina Zayed traders set for end of an era:

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  Traders in Mina Zayed are braced for change as a major regeneration project of Mina Zayed gathers momentum. All pictures by Victor Besa / The National

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  Mohammad Riyas, from Kerala, has worked at the Mina Plant Market for ten years

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  Mina Plaza Towers which will be demolished on November 27 as part of an ambitious redevelopment scheme

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  Abdulla Hussein, from Pakistan, delivers pillows to the Dar Al Ain shop.

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  Many shop owners have operated in Mina Zayed for several years

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  Hassan Mohammad Ali at the pillow sales section of Dar Al Ain

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  A rich array of goods are sold by the many market traders in Mina Zayed

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  The Jaberkhoory Household Appliances shop in the vast port area

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  The pillows and mats section of the Dar Al Ain shop

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  The Mina Zayed market area will be transformed as part of plans to turn the port into a tourist attraction

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  Mounir A.K. has worked at the Mina plant market for four years

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  Anna Varghese, from Kerala has owned her plant stall with her husband for 15 years