The walls came down on the old Tisbury fire station on Beach street in Vineyard Haven Wednesday morning. So did the roof.

Town crews did the work as the first part of the demolition project, Tisbury town administrator John (Jay) Grande said.

“It’s very critical that we at least get phase one done and get down to the [cement] slab,” he said. In June, the slab will be removed and the space will be graded and prepared for a temporary gravel parking lot.

“It won’t be a finished product, but it will be usable,” Mr. Grande said. A long-term plan for the lot in the heart of the downtown area is yet to be determined, Mr. Grande said.

Tisbury building inspector Ken Barwick is the construction supervisor for phase one, with representatives from the town water department, department of public works and building commission on hand, as well as NSTAR and the Tisbury environmental monitor.

“The departments are really making it happen,” Mr. Grande said. Although the project was put out for bid earlier this month, the town ultimately decided to keep the demolition in house. Removal of asbestos from the building was coordinated by Hillary Conklin, administrative secretary to the selectmen, earlier this year, which made it “more feasible for the town to take on the project internally,” Mr. Grande said.

“I’m glad it’s happening,” he added.

The fire department and emergency management services moved to their new home on Spring street early this year.