HASTINGS, Neb. — Demolition is underway on a historic corner of downtown Hastings.

Crews were at work tearing down a former boutique on Tuesday afternoon. The building was condemned after a fire destroyed the adjoining Bert’s Pharmacy property in spring 2022. The building partially collapsed on Sept. 18 and had been sectioned off ever since.

Hastings Development Services Director Chad Bunger says the city is working to preserve the integrity of the rest of the block.

”Our focus has been to get that down safely, make sure that the neighboring building to the west is taken care of well so that we don’t have this same issue repeated all the way down to the end of the block," Bunger said. "So when those things are done, we can worry about what goes in next.”

Developers announced plans in early September to turn the corner into a mixed-use building. They said they would offer offer commercial space on the first floor and condos on the second floor.