Almost eight months after it was slated to begin, the Town Center Mall demolition will begin today at 11 a.m.

Some of the old buildings must be destroyed in order for Fourth Quarter Properties to turn the old, empty mall into a new outdoor "lifestyle center" on the order of Santana Row. Fourth Quarter is the group set up by the Forum Development Group to handle the redevelopment.

One of the first things to go will be the condemned parking structure on Mathilda Avenue. Much of that space will eventually be filled with retail stores, offices and housing. The old street grid will be restored to allow people and vehicles to pass through the area.

The existing Target and Macy's stores will remain, but after the Town Center Mall goes, there will be open space between them.

Fourth Quarter has said throughout the planning process that it hopes to get demolition done before the start of the holiday shopping season in November.

Project manager Jane Vaughan estimates the entire project will take 24 months.