The Betco Block Plant in Gainesville is no more.
Three cranes with cables connected to the tower of the old concrete facility pulled it down about 11 a.m. today. The plant was closed to make way for a 79,000-square foot Cabela's outdoor store.
Prior to demolition, workers cut through the steel support beams of the structure with welding torches. While doing so, workers could hear the building begin to "dance" and "sway,'' according to a demolition supervisor.
When workers were done cutting, they all moved away from the building. A countdown was given, and then the tower crumbled into pieces, collapsing inside a massive dust cloud reminiscent of watching and old Las Vegas casino being brought to the ground.
"We worked for seven months to negotiate a deal for this 13-acre property," said Jim Mertz, with Peterson Companies, the firm that will develop the Cabela's store.
While workers prepared the tower for demolition, Prince William County officials took the opportunity to herald the coming of the new outdoor retail giant that is expected to open in 2017.
"This plant helped build the new Prince William into a prosperous, wealthy place for families," said Prince William Board of Supervisors Chairman, At-large Corey Stewart.
It's an election year for the Board, and Stewart aims to keep his seat. He's expected to use developments like these to convince voters the county is attracting jobs and growth in the region.
The Betco Block Plant opened in 1967 and made concrete blocks for construction use. It was located just off Interstate 66 in Gainesville and was one of the last few standing structures manufacturing structures in a county that is shifting its job focus to attracting more bio-science and technology jobs.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Recent Stories
What began as public anticipation of a vote to remove Historic Dumfries Virginia, Inc. (HDVI) from the Weems-Botts Museum ended with a funding cut and a shift in maintenance responsibilities — but not the eviction many feared.
A man is recovering after being shot late Thursday night in Spotsylvania County.
This article is part of a series by Potomac Local News introducing candidates for the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. This fall, voters will choose representatives for the Garrisonville, Hartwood, Falmouth, and Aquia Districts.
The folks at VDOT just gave Potomac Local News the heads-up: expect plenty of overnight lane closures and daytime work zones in Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, and the City of Fredericksburg from Sunday, Aug. 10 through Saturday, Aug. 16.
SAVE THE DATE
September 11, 2025
Location: Sport Rock Climbing Center
9811 Washingtonian Blvd Ste 300, Gaithersburg, Md 20878
We’re excited to share that Molly’s Dog Care has officially opened its doors at 8525 Chevy Chase Lake Terrace, Suite 302, Chevy Chase, MD 20815!
Whether you’re looking for dog daycare, overnight boarding, grooming, or training, our experienced team is here to provide a safe, loving, and enriching environment for your furry family members. Our services are designed with your dog’s happiness and well-being in mind because at Molly’s, we treat every pup like our own.
A Message from Owner Aaron DeVane:
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
