Phoenix Convention Center passed a major milestone early Friday morning when demolition crews leveled the North Building exhibit halls.

The 109,000 square-foot-building was brought down by four Caterpillar excavators pushing the supporting beams in a north to south motion for approximately 45 minutes. Crews will excavate the North Building, a 10-acre site, 50 feet below street level to accommodate the continuation of the new West Building underground exhibition hall.

Demolition of the North Building began on May 30 by removing Hall C, which bridged over Washington Street.

The North Building served as Arizona’s premier meeting and convention location since 1972. It welcomed guests for more than 30 years, hosted more than 21 million event attendees, four United States presidents and countless dignitaries.

The voter-approved $600 million expansion, scheduled for completion in late 2008, will position the Phoenix Convention Center in the top 20 convention centers in North America with a steady schedule of convention center bookings targeted to host 375,000 convention delegates annually beginning in 2013.

The Phoenix Convention Center expansion is a cooperative effort between the city of Phoenix and the state of Arizona. Phoenix voters approved $300 million in funding for the expansion in 2001; the Arizona State Legislature and Governor Janet Napolitano approved matching funds in 2003.