After years of being called an eyesore in Warren, the old Saint Joseph's Hospital is being torn down.

The hospital has been closed since 1996.

Warren Mayor Doug Franklin was on hand for part of the demolition Tuesday and even got into a crane to help crews bring down a part of the building.

There are no immediate plans for the land but it will be restored to a grass field once demolition is complete.

The former hospital had to have asbestos removed before the building could come down.

Mayor Franklin said he was thankful to see the eyesore finally come crashing down.

"WE WERE PREPARED TO TAKE THIS DOWN AT ANY COST BECAUSE IT WAS SO DETRIMENTAL TO OUR COMMUNITY. IT HAS BEEN HERE SO LONG, I THANK GOD NOBODY GOT HURT IN THIS STRUCTURE, THROUGH ALL THE YEARS THAT IT'S BEEN ABANDONED. THAT'S JUST GOD'S GRACE," Mayor Franklin said.

Building removal is planned to be finished by the spring.