Demolition for the historic Damen Silos on Chicago's Southwest Side was supposed to begin Monday, despite a yearslong battle by preservationists and community groups to save them.

The silos, located at 2860 S. Damen Ave. on the side of the Stevenson Expressway, date back to 1906, but were abandoned after an accident in 1977. The Chicago Department of Buildings said the demolition of the structures would be "environmentally complex" — with concerns about dust, air quality, and water preservation.

The city said the silos would be taken down little by little, with no use of explosives.

For decades, the Damen Silos have been called a local landmark. Experts have characterized them as a token of Chicago's history, dating back to the turn of the last century when the city was dominant in the grain industry.

The Damen Silos were first constructed in 1906 by the Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, according to Landmarks Illinois – though published reports note that there were grain silos on the site going back to the 19th century. The workhouse was rebuilt after an explosion and fire in 1932, according to published reports.

After another large explosion in 1977, the silos closed — and have not been used since. But Landmarks Illinois called the silos an "iconic waterfront landmark," and noted that they are a favorite site for urban explorers. The silos were also featured in the action film "Transformers: Age of Extinction," in which they were destroyed in the aftermath of a fight.

Preservationists and community members have been hoping such a thing would not happen in real life. They had fought for years to save the old grain elevators, and had pitched  various ideas for a future for the structures — including turning the property into a public space like a garden, park, or event space, similar to Chicago's Salt Shed.

But the property's owner, Michael Tadin Jr., who also owns MAT Asphalt, purchased the buildings from the State of Illinois in 2022 for approximately $6.5 million and refuses to sell.

Tadin filed permits to demolish the silos, but no one knows what will become of the 23 acres of land afterward.

"Neighbors are disappointed to see them come down. It's a sad day that they're actually starting the demolition now after people have worked so hard," said Kate Eakin, managing director of the McKinley Park Development Council. "But I also want to reiterate to all our neighbors that this isn't over; that whatever comes next on the site that there will be another opportunity to try to secure public amenities on the site — which is the priority of neighbors that there needs to be public space there, because this is our riverfront."

The community is also fighting to ensure that it is environmentally safe to live while the demolition is going on.

"There's also concern about that there's not a great strategy for what happens if something ends up in the river," Eakin said.

That is where the nonprofit Urban Rivers comes in.

"This is public waters here of Illinois," said Phil Nicodemus, research director at Urban Rivers.

The nonprofit volunteered to collect its own data to monitor the impact of the demolition on the Chicago River system. The silos are located right along the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.

"We're really interested in making sure that there's an awareness of what's going on, and accountability after something happens," Nicodemus said.

Urban Rivers will test for metals and the cloudiness of the water, among other things.

The city's Department of Buildings said it is monitoring the project alongside the Chicago Department of Public Health and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to monitor the air, water, and dust control.

The city promised the permits issued for the demolition were "the culmination of months of coordinated work."

Neighbors, and those who care about the river, are not taking chances.

"There's a bunch of debris being thrown in, and there's this nasty reflection," Nicodemus said. "It doesn't look good for the city, it's not healthy for people, it's not healthy for wildlife."

The demolition project is expected to go on until November, according to Ald. Julia Ramirez (26th). As of late Monday, it did not appear as if the demolition had yet begun — though equipment was in place.

On Monday and for previous reporting, CBS News Chicago has tried to get in touch with the property owner to ask what he plans to do with the site — and has not heard back.

This is the full statement on the Damen Silos demolition from Chicago Department of Buildings Commissioner Marlene Hopkins:

"Since receiving the five demolition permit applications for the Damen Silos site, my department has worked closely with the Chicago Department of Public Health to implement a comprehensive framework for this environmentally complex demolition, reflecting lessons learned from past demolitions that showed how a lack of coordination can be detrimental to our communities. We cannot and will not repeat the mistakes of the past, which is why complex demolitions require stringent review and public engagement regarding their potential impact.

"This isn't just about issuing permits in accordance with code—it's about accountability and going beyond minimum requirements when community safety demands it. The multiple community meetings provided a collaborative space for residents to ask questions regarding safe demolition, oversight, dust control measures, and other environmental and health protections.

"The permits issued today, July 3, 2025, are the culmination of months of coordinated work between DOB and CDPH to properly execute a demolition that demonstrates our commitment to putting the safety of Chicagoans first, especially those living in communities with existing environmental challenges. We appreciate the continued engagement and advocacy of McKinley Park residents. Their voices have made this process better, and we look forward to a successful demolition that meets the high standards they deserve."