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Crews began demolishing the former Bonnerup Building last week on Clark Street.

Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea said in a statement this week that the building, which is about two blocks from the main hospital campus, was demolished because repairs to the building were no longer feasible.

Since it acquired the building, at 525 W. Clark St., in 2010, Mayo used it primarily for staff training. It was formerly the site of Bonnerup Funeral Service, which has since relocated to 2210 E. Main St. Bonnerup donated the building to the then-Albert Lea Medical Center through the Naeve Health Care Foundation.

At the time of the contribution, former ALMC CEO Mark Ciota said the building was slated to go through one level of renovations so it would be ready to serve as a training center for staff as they converted to a new electronic medical record. Once the initial training for this record was completed, the building was slated go through more extensive remodeling to become a permanent training and education center. It was also expected to house some of the health system’s departments, according to Tribune archives in 2010.

The health system in recent months has been collaborating with the city of Albert Lea and the Economic Development Agency to ensure the property is suitable for redevelopment. Both the remaining lot and the large parking lot across the street at the former Albert Lea High School location, which is also owned by Mayo, are for sale.

The Albert Lea City Council in October made findings that the Bonnerup Building and a house at 610 Water St. were substandard and should most likely be demolished.

The findings were made as the city and ALEDA work with a developer and property owner on a project that will require the eventual creation of a redevelopment tax increment district. If the parcels are considered contributing toward the creation of the district, they could be eligible for district incentives.