KITTERY – The building that once housed the Danish Health Club brothel was destroyed Wednesday to make way for town houses and commercial space on the property.

A backhoe operated by H.L. Patten Construction tore into the building that has been vacant since 2004 when it was raided by FBI and IRS agents. By week’s end, the two-story building, the “Welcome to Maine” billboard and the entire foundation will be gone.

Town officials hoped the demolition would help residents put behind them the embarrassment over the brothel that operated for two decades right under the nose of police.

But Town Manager Jonathan Carter acknowledged that the property’s history won’t evaporate overnight. “I’m sure the stories will continue,” Carter said. “The myths and the legacy will remain for those who do buy the property.”

The Danish Health Club opened in 1984 and operated for 20 years.

Former Town Council Chairman Gary Reiner was sentenced to five years in federal prison for operating a brothel and conspiring to launder millions of dollars in profits. The corporation was ordered dissolved a year ago by a federal judge.

Police, who were accused of turning a blind eye, were cleared of any wrongdoing after an eight-month investigation by the Maine Attorney General’s Office.

Construction will begin before year’s end and it’ll take a year to complete the $4 million and $5 million project, said Brett Patten, project manager.

Although Patten was aware of the building’s history, he said he does not expect lingering memories of the scandal to affect the property.