MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Demolition began today to prepare for The Village of Okemos Redevelopment Project.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy started demolition today in Downtown Okemos at around 9:00 am.

The process took place at the construction site along Hamilton Road between Ardmore Avenue and Okemos Road.

After cleaning up the contaminated soil underground, the next step was to tear down two buildings. The building torn down today was the old dry cleaning business, Okemos Cleaners, which caused the bulk of the contamination.

The former “Bottoms- up Dancewear” and the “Okemos Ace Hardware” also make up the construction site.

Seven buildings totaling nearly 290,000 square feet will be developed in the area as part of the "Village of Okemos" project.

Hamilton Road between Ardmore Avenue and Okemos Road is expected to be closed during construction for this redevelopment.

Tune into HOMTV as we bring you updates on this story.