Crews have begun clearing a site in the city’s Short North district that will pave the way for a new public parking garage, Class A office building and boutique hotel.

Officials from The Pizzuti Companies said a team of experts from Loewendick Demolition Contractors is removing the back portion of a former office building located at 632 N. Park St. The remainder of the building, fronting Goodale Park, is undergoing extensive renovation and will house the world renowned contemporary art collection of Pizzuti Companies Chairman and CEO Ron Pizzuti.

The demolition work is necessary to complete work on the Pizzuti Collection gallery, which is scheduled to open later this year.

“This is an exciting step in the overall advancement of our Short North project,” said Joel S. Pizzuti, president of The Pizzuti Companies. “As we continue our office pre-leasing activities, we will work in partnership with the City of Columbus on utility relocation in preparation of construction of the parking structure.”

Pizzuti’s mixed-use development will include a 135-room boutique hotel on the east side of North High Street, as well as a 55,000-square-foot, six-story office building and 313-space public parking garage on the west side of North High Street. Construction of these components is expected to take 18-22 months to complete.