Demolition of Sarnia's former Kinsmen Centre at 656 Lakeshore Rd. is expected to get underway in a couple of weeks.
Murray Mills Excavating and Trucking will start asbestos abatement work on Monday, with the building to come down shortly after.
City Parks and Rec Director Rob Harwood says plans to develop five residential lots on the two acre site are still in the appeal process.
Some neighbours argue that it makes no sense to put houses up because it goes against the city's tree bylaw policy.
"The official plan amendment and zoning and subdivision agreement of course has all been sent to the Ontario Municipal Board," says Harwood. "There is an appeal that I've heard has been put in by a resident. We'll see how the whole process unfolds."
The city declared the community centre surplus in 2016 after staff estimated it would cost $250,000 to replace a leaking roof and remove mold and asbestos.
User-groups and tenants were relocated from the building last year.