Ward 8 councilman Marion Barry helps get the demolition started for develoment of a long-anticipated shopping center in Southeast D.C.

The district has long promised to breathe life into the half-boarded up strip mall and Wednesday marked a milestone for residents in the Ward 7 neighborhood.

The development will be called Skyland Town Center. Mayor Vincent Gray and Ward 7 councilwoman Yvette Alexander also took turns at demolition.