The old Entwhistle Building on the harborfront property known as Boch Park in Vineyard Haven came down on Wednesday, capping years of discussion about demolition.

Future of waterfront property is uncertain. — Max Skjöldebrand

Property owner Ernie Boch Jr. paid for the demolition using a private contractor, town administrator John (Jay) Grande confirmed.

Early last month the Tisbury selectmen gave the building inspector approval to move forward with razing the derelict building at 20 Beach Road, without the cooperation of Mr. Boch. At the time the town said it would pay for the demolition and then place a lien on the property.

Discussions about the demolition had been ongoing for three years between building inspector Kenneth Barwick and Mr. Boch’s attorney. Mr. Barwick told the selectmen that talks had broken off after he tried to have the property owner apply for a demolition permit and take down the building at his own expense.

Owner Ernie Boch Jr. paid for the demolition using a private contractor. — Max Skjöldebrand

Shortly after the decision by the selectmen, talk resumed with Mr. Boch’s attorney, Mark Bobrowski. Mr. Grande said May 13 was a turning point in the discussions.

“On that date we got a strong sense that they’d be filing the demolition permit and they did, and that they would coordinate with the state police and they did, and that they’d contract with their contractor and they did,” he said.

As for the future, Mr. Grande says he does not know what is in store for the property.

“I sent an inquiry to open up communication about the future plans,” he said. “It’s a very critical piece of property.”