MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Demolition has begun on a 3,400-seat theater in northwestern Indiana that has hosted Bob Dylan, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock and other entertainers over nearly four decades.

The Times of Northwest Indiana reports contractor Environmental Cleansing Corp. is tearing apart the Star Plaza Theatre at the intersection of Interstate 65 and U.S. 30 in Merrillville.

Star Plaza was one of the largest indoor theaters in Indiana and the greater Chicago metropolitan area. The Oak Ridge Boys were the final act to perform there in December.

Spokeswoman Kathleen Sebastian of owner White Lodging says the demolition should take about three months.

White Lodging plans to redevelop the property with a new hotel, restaurants and green space. The Merrillville-based hotel developer already has razed the Radisson at Star Plaza hotel.