Demolition on the abandoned building in downtown Carrboro that has been a focus of contempt for residents and town officials began this week.

The building and lot are owned by CVS. But initial redevelopment plans submitted to the town in 2013 were withdrawn after it became clear the request would not be granted.

The building then fell into a state of disrepair at a prime location in downtown Carrboro at the corner of South Greensboro and Weaver streets.

The Carrboro Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance in late 2016 that regulated the upkeep of vacant non-residential buildings in the town. While the ordinance is town-wide, it was drafted with the abandoned CVS building as its target.

Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle said in a December interview with WCHL that CVS agreed to demolish the building after touring the site with town staff.

“The feedback I got was that they all walked in the building, as they walked through there was really no question that it was going to have to be torn down,” Lavelle said at the time. “CVS very quickly and very professionally has moved forward with lining up someone to take care of the deconstruction of the building and cleaning it up.

“So we’re really excited about that.”

CVS has submitted another rezoning request, which has not yet been put before the town board.

Photo via Jeffrey Clayton.