101216 Protanos Demo (MA)

Wagner Excavating co-owner Jared Wagner works on tearing down a home next to Protano Auto Parts on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016 in DeKalb. The properties were purchased in January of 2015 during a tax sale, according to Public Works Director Tim Holdeman. The City of DeKalb is demolishing the properties due to asbestos and ground contamination associated with automobile liquids. "This is a landmark day for the city," Holdeman said adding that finally being able to demolish the structures on this site the Route 23 corridor is "an important part of the city."