The K.B. Building on the corner of Church Street and Clay Avenue in Mars was torn down Tuesday.

MARS — A deteriorated building that originally housed a livery stable that doubled as a funeral home was torn down Tuesday.

The K.B. Building on the corner of Church Street and Clay Avenue had many purposes since it was built about 1908 by the Walters family.

Mars Historical and Landmark Society members said the building was used as a fire hall, a roller skating rink, a body shop, the town meeting hall, and finally, an apartment building before beginning its descent into deterioration.

The basement had flooding in 2004 after Hurricane Ivan, which hastened its decline.

History and Landmark Society member George Lazzo said the large front door facing Clay Avenue was a “guillotine door” that opened vertically into the building’s loft instead of swinging open horizontally.

Mars Mayor Gregg Hartung said borough acquired the building through county court proceedings because of taxes owed and mounting safety concerns.

He said the court order that turned ownership of the building over to the borough requires that the property remain green space for five years.