By the end of this week, Downtown Kirkwood will see the loss of two buildings on West Jefferson Avenue as part of a $1-million plus parking project.

Demolition of two buildings, one located at 107-109 and the other at 111-113 West Jefferson Avenue, starts early this week, according to the City of Kirkwood's website. The city purchased the properties, which includes the old Mel Bay Music Center building for $1.25 million last year.

The bill before the city council to purchase the buildings on West Jefferson set aside $180,000 to be spent to demolish the properties and add 46 parking spots to the city's existing parking lot on West Jefferson Avenue, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Ahrens Contracting will raze the structures, which is expected to take about a week to complete.

"A temporary parking lot will open a few weeks after the demolition is finished, with long-term plans for the site yet to be determined," the city says.

During demolition, one lane of the existing Downtown Kirkwood parking lot to the west of the properties will be closed, but the closure will not affect traffic on West Jefferson Avenue, according to the city. 

See other Patch stories:

• Parking Purchase: Kirkwood Addresses Concerns
• Parking Purchase Boon to Kirkwood Economy
• Downtown Kirkwood Parking Deal Finds Favor of City Council
• Kirkwood Approves Downtown Building Purchase, Gas Station Expansion
• P&Z Cries Foul Over $1 Million-Plus Parking Proposal
• Star Power: Kirkwood's Mel Bay Joins Walk of Fame