SAN ANTONIO -- If you grew up in San Antonio, chances are you remember the Mission Drive-In.

For residents on the city's south side, the drive-in was a popular destination for family movies and date nights.

"In its heyday, it was just one of the fun places to go," said an onlooker.

But the main attraction at the drive-in on Tuesday was the backhoes and jackhammers that turned the landmark into rubble. With several onlookers snapping pictures, construction crews demolished parts of the old theater that had been abandoned, tagged and left to ruin.

After a minor clash with some drive-in die-hards who wanted to keep the sentimental structure, the theater is getting ready for a second run as a 17,000-square-foot library.

Like the Museum Reach project that has transformed the northern part of the San Antonio River, District 3 Councilwoman Jennifer Ramos sees the Mission Drive-In redevelopment as a cornerstone in the revitalization of the city's south side.

"I hope this is going to be the center of synergy happening in this area," Ramos said.

The good news for residents with fond memories of the drive-in is that the landmark sign and marquee will remain.

"We will restore it and make sure it's preserved," Ramos said. "We will have an open green space for an amphitheater right in front of the marquee."

Groundbreaking for the library, only the second in District 3, is scheduled for this fall and is slated to open in August 2010.