Demolition began in earnest Tuesday on the historic Pierce House overlooking Jesse Jewell and Queen City parkways in Gainesville. Dust billowed in the air as heavy equipment tore at the house’s distinctive white, clapboard siding, bringing it to the ground. “Gainesville’s in a stage of changing right now,” contractor Jerry Carder said. “Folks have got to accept the fact that change does not come easy. It does brings tears, heartaches and grief, but when you see the end results, it brings a lot of pleasure. “And I think that piece of property is meant for something bigger and better, and it’ll bring a lot of joy to a lot of people down the road.”