The city of
The buildings are vacant, and the city plans to tear them down. Some residents hope to see businesses go up in their place.
City leaders say the apartments near Anthony and McKinnie were not well maintained, hurting the surrounding neighborhoods. Some residents noticed.
“It hadn't looked like it's been in good repair for several years,” said nearby resident Joseph Otero.
City leaders noticed the disrepair as well. In September they bought the 30-acre apartment complex, paying just over a million dollars of federal funds. The city helped remaining tenants move to other places.
“It's obviously a central property in the southeast quadrant of
Urbahns says the city will tear all 214 units down. He says fire and police departments might use the buildings for training before then. But after the buildings are gone, he says, it's up in the air.
“At this point we're leaving the 'what it will be' completely open, and we'll be engaging the public to have discussions about that,” said Urbahns.
Some residents across the street from the apartments say they want to see businesses go in there. They say southeast
“Maybe a strip mall or something, or something that the surrounding neighbors can enjoy where it won't be far,” said Doretha Freeman.
Freeman, who lives near the apartments, says she hopes the project will breathe new life into the area.
“So many things are out north, out west. If they bring something in the central city, i think it would be ok,” said Freeman.
Urbahns says a few developers have approached the city about the land, although he wouldn't say who or what type of development. Urbahns promises residents will have a say in what gets built.
Freeman is optimistic.
“Thirty acres, I'm like, wow, maybe we can have a mall there or something,” said Freeman.
The city plans to hold a series of meeting with neighbors. There is no timetable on when the buildings will be demolished.
