A long-closed former factory building on Plymouth Street across from Patriot Park in Lexington is being torn down.

The building dates back to the early 1950's, and after housing several businesses, has been closed for about 20 years.

The Village of Lexington served as a mediator between the property owner and contractor to get the work started.

Village Administrator Randy Pore says the project started about a week and a half ago, and the building should be down by the end of this week.  The debris will be removed as soon as possible.

Pore says this demolition is long overdue, and welcome, with Mayor Gene Parkison pushing for it for several years.

There are no immediate plans for re-development of the property, with underground contamination still needing to be addressed.