FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) – Decades of Fort Wayne history set to be demolished this week.

Work is expected to get underway Monday that would tear down the historic Franklin School on St. Marys Avenue to make way for a city park.

First built in 1903, the school closed in 1981 and later became a Marine Reserve center and Police Academy. The property will become a public park, complete with a splash pad and pavilion.

Fort Wayne city officials say it was simply impractical to renovate the building.