Crews are removing asbestos from the Riverfront Y in preparation for the demolition this summer of the 58-year-old structure.

Iowa-Illinois Taylor, a Davenport company authorized to remove asbestos, started work Monday, said Vernon Delpesce, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines.

The Riverfront Y has been abandoned since late last year, when the Wellmark YMCA opened at Fifth and Grand avenues in downtown Des Moines. Polk County has agreed to pay $1 million toward the demolition of the property, which is being marketed by Tim Sharpe and Linda Gibbs of CBRE|Hubbell Commercial.

The nearly two acres that Riverfront Y occupies at 101 Locust St. are considered prime development property. It was part of a complicated land swap in 2012 that ultimately led to the YMCA of Greater Des Moines’ purchase of the former Polk County Convention Center at Fifth and Grand and the purchase of land at Fifth and Park Street for a convention center hotel.

Tom Wuehr, who is in charge of compliance on asbestos abatement and demolition projects for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said crews are removing 28,000 square feet of asbestos-laden ceiling tile, 10,000 square feet of cement fiber board and 5,000 square feet of flooring.

Delpesce said much of the asbestos was in glue used on flooring and as a moisture barrier for tiles above the Riverfront Y swimming pool.

Russell Construction Co. of Davenport is overseeing all phases of the demolition.