Crews have started the demolition process for a county-owned house in downtown Washington.

Earlier this fall the Washington County Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of the two-story white house at 302 West Main Street with the intention of making more parking spaces for the courthouse. The house sits directly across the street from the main entrance of the courthouse. This week crews began with asbestos removal and will continue with removing the house into next week. At Tuesday’s supervisors meeting, Washington County Engineer Jacob Thorius said the work will likely be complete before Christmas. DeLong Construction of Washington was awarded the bid for the work, and they are working with Environmental Mitigation Services, Inc. to abate the asbestos.