The long-sought demolition of the former Modern Plastics building in Benton Harbor is now underway.

Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment purchased the property this year with plans to eventually use it for new real estate. The seven parcels at 489 North Shore Drive total around 10.5 acres and were sold for $752,000 to Harbor Shores at a Berrien County land auction.

With demolition now happening, environmental tests will determine what needs to be done to remediate contamination at the site. Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment President Chris Cook tells us whether real estate can be put up on the site depends on the result of that effort.