Workers watched from the intersection of Jackson St. and Fifth St. as razing of the former YWCA began Wednesday in Springfield. Note the Illinois State Capitol in the background.

Wednesday morning demolition crews began tearing down the former Springfield YWCA building, just west of the Illinois REALTORS® building and north of the Illinois Executive Mansion.

Workers used a water cannon to control dust and debris as the building was broken down.

The demolition will clear the way for the entire block to be developed into residential, commercial or a park, or a combination of the three options, according to an article today in the Springfield State Journal-Register. Jackson St. separates the structure from the executive mansion on the south side of the block. To the west is Fourth St., to the north is Capitol Ave., and to the east is Fifth St.

Watch for more photos here, including a time-lapse video of the entire project.