Demolition work began Monday morning on the abandoned Bradshaw Inn in Rancho Cordova.

Authorities said the building, in the 3300 block of Bradshaw Road, has been a magnet for transients, criminal activity and a target of arsonists.

City officials said the owner of the property said he had hoped to redevelop the site but had not made any visible steps toward improvement. The owner hired a company last week to handle demolition of the building.

Rancho Cordova Mayor David Sander called the removal of the old hotel "a big step in the right direction" for the area.