HASTINGS, Neb. -- The City of Hastings is preparing to safely demolish a closed downtown gas station.

A news release said General Excavating will mobilize equipment on Monday to the former Theis Auto Care at Third St. and Denver Ave. The process starts with concrete removal.

Then on Wednesday, crews will remove the 8,000 and 5,000-gallon tanks with the oversight of the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office. The process will be completed on Friday.

Demolition of the building will start on Tuesday, April 11 and is expected to take eight business days. There may be some parking and traffic closures during the process.

Between the removal and demolition dates, Hastings Fire and Rescue will use the building to train on forcible entry.

Following demolition, the site will be seeded with grass. The Hastings Public Library Foundation purchased the property last May with the intent that it be developed for library programming and public use.