Gainesville appears ready to tear down the old Greater South Supply building at 320 Maple St.

City construction engineer Kevin Purcell discussed the nearly $200,000 project with Gainesville City Council during a work session Thursday morning.

Purcell said the demolition could begin 30 days after the council’s approval, and a lighted parking lot that is set to take its place could open by late summer or early fall.

The lot would serve as temporary parking while the city works to raze its old parking deck at the Georgia Mountains Center and build a new one on the same site.

Councilman George Wangemann said he received a petition from a few residents wanting the city to preserve the building.

He disagreed with that notion. It "has become an eyesore," he said. "I think what we’re doing here is the best option possible."