The corner lot and adjacent buildings at the corner of Liberty. St. and Pennsylvania Ave. have been vacant for many, many years.

According to city officials, movement on the development of a senior living complex at that corner is expected to commence in a month to six weeks.

City Manager Mike Holtz told the Times Observer that “all the permits are there” for the demolition of the two buildings adjacent to the corner lot.

He outlined the process that has to unfold before demolition can commence.

“(There is) always the environmental piece,” he said. “The city did an environmental study years ago. They have that in hand.”

Asbestos will need to be removed and, once it is, the city receives a certificate stating such. That then opens up the door for demolition.

“(We) usually know a week ahead of time,” he said. “They have the permit for the demo. It’ll be at least a month … a month to six weeks from now.”

The Department of Community and Economic Development back in March released a notice of “no significant impact on the human environment” pursuant to National Environmental Policy Act regulations as well as a notice of intent to request the release of federal funds.

That request was intended to be submitted last month for the “release of HOME Investment Partnership Program” funds awarded for the project.

“This project will be the demolition of a dilapidated building and the new construction of a four-story multifamily rental apartment building in its place and on the adjacent vacant lot for the purpose of providing 40 rental units for elderly age 62 and older occupancy,” the notice explained. “Funding includes approximately $1,426,575 in HOME funds through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s PennHOMES program which comes from DCED.”

Total project cost was identified as $14.8 million.

The issue was back before city council on Monday during the public comment portion of the meeting.

“(We) want to keep the charm of our community,” Dave Winans told council. “Putting this housing building in the middle of retail spaces, in this instance, I don’t think we need it.”

He asked for council to undertake an outside analysis of the project.

Winans said the city should hire a consultant that knows Warren, specifically identifying the firm that completed the city’s comprehensive plan.

“They know the town. They have all the information,” he said. “It’s not going to be a huge thing for them to do, just look at the impact, financial impact, plusses and minuses of having this versus not having it.”

He also called for someone to “review the contracts that were signed with Hudson.

Holtz said that the council did not take the action on Monday that Winans outlined.