It's been an eyesore in the city of Warren for over 26 years and also a spot for dangerous and criminal activity. But now, thanks to the state, it's all going to come down soon.

Governor Mike DeWine announced Wednesday, a $3.4 million brownfield remediation grant which will be combined with a $2 million grant to remove asbestos. It's money the city needed to finally remove what's left of the former Saint Joseph's Riverside Hospital.

"These big buildings just take a lot of money to get rid of. It's not just going in and blowing them up or knocking them down. You got remediation, many of them have asbestos, Lord knows what else they have in them," said Gov. DeWine.

For those who've lived next to the hospital, it's been a long battle and victory is near.

"It took a village really to get this torn down," said former Councilman, Larry Larson. "I can see the top of this building from my house. We've probably been working on this for 20 years."

A long-time target for vandalism, the majority of the property will be turned into a park.

"The short-term plans are to create some beautiful green space. That's part of what the remediation grant requires of us. wWe can also do some benches and make it a park-like setting," said Warren Mayor, Doug Franklin.

Mayor Franklin says actual demolition is expected to begin in June.