CUYAHOGA FALLS: In a half-hour, it was over.

The auto garage built in 1928 that later became an auto towing business that Falls officials have wanted gone from next door to City Hall for 30 years was torn down Tuesday morning.

It started with a Summit County councilman taking the first punch at the building with a piece of heavy equipment.

''Tear it down,'' chanted Falls Deputy Law Director Hope Jones, a few minutes before a ribbon was cut and County Councilman John Schmidt, D-2, took the controls of a Ray Bertolini Trucking 25-ton hydraulic excavator at the B&B Towing building on Second Street.

After two swipes at the building, professionals with Bertolini took over and in short order the building was on its knees and then sprawled like a knocked out boxer.

The city purchased the building and half-acre from B&B Towing for $330,000 in 2007 and the business relocated to a four-acre site at 3901 State Road in May.

Bernie Mason, 42, who has spent nearly his entire life at the old towing company, was sentimental about seeing the building that housed his family business for so long torn down.

''It's been here a long time,'' he said. ''It's like home.''

At one time, he said, he and his father, also Bernie Mason, have ''packed 100 cars back there,'' referring to the parking lot behind the garage.

He said the new location for the family business ''is a much better spot.''

Mason said he still occasionally drives to the Second Street address, forgetting that the business is now on State Road.

Susan L. Truby, the city's director of development, said the removal of the towing building will beautify the area.

A new 40-spot parking lot for City Hall, the Natatorium and Church Square will be built this summer, she said.

At the same time, the south entrance to the City Hall parking lot will be closed and a new entrance will be created on Stow Avenue onto the former B&B property, Truby said.

''The new parking lot will also contain landscaping and street trees and a new 'Welcome to the City,' '' sign, she said.

Schmidt, who was instrumental in helping the city receive a $10,000 grant from Summit County for demolition and asbestos abatement, said city officials have been trying to deal with the building since the 1970s. Total cost of the demolition of the building was $10,389.50 to Bertolini Trucking, Truby said.

Removing the old building is important for the beautification of downtown Cuyahoga Falls,'' Schmidt said.

Summit County Executive Russ Pry said it was a great day for the city.

''It will be great to see this gone,'' said Pry.

As the building was knocked down, a small crowd watched from the sidewalks nearby.

Laura Weist and her son, Adrian, 7, were excited to see the action.

''Wow, Adrian, it looks like it's all gone,'' Mrs. Weist, who turns 46 today, said to her son, who held a large stuffed rabbit known as ''bun-bun,'' as the last wall fell.

She said she and her son would likely go watch the demolition of the State Road Shopping Center when it is torn down, possibly in the first quarter of next year.