The old Home Street Elementary School building was demolished, but that was only part of the deal.
According to the City of Warren Redevelopment Authority, developer Ruzhdi Bakalli has until the end of 2013 to complete construction of homes on the property.
With the 2012 construction season essentially over, authority members are wondering what will become of the development.
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Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry
New homes?
The former Home Street School property, the proposed site of a residential development, lies vacant.
According to a letter from former City Manager Jim Nelles to Bakalli, guidelines for the construction were detailed.
Current City Manager Nancy Freenock said the demolition of the school building had to be complete by the end of September 2011, after the August 2011 purchase and the project was to be complete next year.
Freenock said she had a meeting with Bakalli set for Thursday afternoon to discuss the status of the project. Freenock could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.
The authority had an agreement with the Warren County School District, the former owner of the property, regarding the sale. According to authority secretary Cindy Strandburg, the school district and authority would split the proceeds of the sale of the property.
However, the authority would take out expenses incurred at the property before the split, and because of that the school district won't be receiving any proceeds from the sale.
The $10,000 sale price falls well short of the $11,093 the authority has paid since taking ownership of the property in 2007.
The property was subdivided after the demolition to allow for lot sizes that are more attractive to buyers, Building Code Official Alan Gustafson said.
The authority members voted to reduce the asking price of empty lots on Beech Street and allow the realtor to "entertain any bids."
The authority will meet again on Dec. 20.