Noise from backhoes, bulldozers and other heavy equipment can be heard behind the walls that enclose the construction site on the southeast side of The Plaza at Preston Center.

In September, work crews began tearing down a building at the shopping center that was the former location of stores such as Corner Bakery Cafe, American Express Travel and Matthew Trent to make way for a new five-story facility, which will house the new University Park Public Library and a variety of other businesses.

According to images taken by Aerial Photography, Inc., construction crews have fully removed all traces of the old building and are currently leveling the ground and getting the plot ready for the new building to go up.

The stores that were in the old building have temporarily relocated to news spaces throughout the Preston Center until construction of the new building is finished, which is expected to be in 2013.

Once the building is completed, the University Park Public Library will take over 17,500 square feet primarily on the second floor of the facility and will have a group study room, designated teen area and a variety of other amenities.