Demolition work started Monday morning with crews tearing down the former downtown YMCA.

Demolition work on the main building is expected to begin this week.

Taking a wrecking ball to the building or imploding it aren't possible because of the surrounding buildings, so demolition crews use machine shovels.

The six-story YMCA opened in 1951 at the corner of Townsend and West Lenawee streets and closed its doors on Dec. 20, 2002.

According to the Lansing State Journal, a $25 million project with 145 loft apartments and almost 7,000 square feet of commercial and retail space, dubbed Metro Place, is expected to be built at the site.

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