We would like to say we’re surprised there isn’t much interest in the former Hudson development property at 231-237 Pennsylvania Ave. W.

The property was returned to the Redevelopment Authority in October 2024 after the Eagles Crest development fell apart amidst community opposition and lawsuits challenging funding approvals for the project.

City officials said last year they hoped to see a new developer step forward with a new project, but despite efforts by many local officials to market the site that hasn’t happened. More recently the city has chosen to list the property on PennBid, a free service that markets bid opportunities throughout the commonwealth.

There hasn’t been any interest yet through the bid process, not that we’re surprised.

Why would any developer from outside the area want to take on a site that has been the subject of so much division and controversy in the community? That’s especially true if one of the sites in question includes a building in such poor condition that it complicates the project.

The site could be a key redevelopment site as Warren officials continue to plan new activities in and along the Allegheny River. Perhaps the pending demolition of structures on the site due to public safety concerns helps to generate interest.

Oftentimes building from scratch is a less expensive proposition for developers than rehabilitating older structures while removing limits to a new development that can be created by existing older structures as well.

It is obvious that the type of money the city had hoped to attract to 231-237 Pennsylvania Ave. W. isn’t likely to materialize anytime soon.

Demolishing the old to help make way for the new may help entice the type of proposal that generates community consensus around a new future for the former Eagles Crest property.