The outline of a building appears to take shape along Durbin Street with the initial construction of the apartment complex known simply as 2525. This view is looking east. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – The city’s direct involvement in eliminating one of the few big blighted spots within city limits comes to a close this week.

That’s when the city of Warsaw completes the transfer of the old Arnolt property on Durbin Street, handing it over to the developers who recently began construction of a 60-unit affordable apartment complex.

The transfer should be complete by Wednesday, said Warsaw Community Economic and Development Director Jeremy Skinner during the city’s redevelopment commission meeting Monday, Nov. 7.

Transfer of the property was the crux of the deal in seeing land transformed.

The city was willing to make the land available in exchange for seeing a residential development come together.

Real America recently began construction and Skinner said he believes it could be ready in about a year.

The old red brick Arnolt building, visible from Argonne Road, had sat empty for decades until the city got involved just a few years ago.

The land had been held in receivership for about 30 years until the city realized direct involvement might be a winning strategy.

Eventually, the city paid to take the building down and worked with the EPA to clean up contaminants.

Construction began recently – almost as soon after demolition was completed.

On Monday, an outline of a building began to take shape.

The apartment complex will be known simply as The 2525.