(La Porte, IN) - The future of a condemned housing complex vacated on Christmas Eve in downtown La Porte remains uncertain.  According to city officials, the close to 50 unit apartment building at 701 Maple Ave. has been taken over by a bank holding the mortgage to the property.

 

The cost of bringing the multi-story facility back into compliance with local codes is in the process of being determined, La Porte Code Enforcement Director Jeff Batchelor told the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety on Tuesday.  Batchelor said the future of the building could be decided on whether the multi-story building is worth the cost of fixing up.  “The receiver has taken over.  They’re actually going through and getting quotes for everything right now,” he said.

 

The building was condemned last summer and residents given six months’ notice to vacate if numerous violations such as major cock roach infestation and hazardous electrical wiring were not brought up to code.

 

Officials said some work had been done to the facility but not nearly enough to lift to condemnation order.  The facility also had longstanding problems with police frequently responding to calls about fighting and other things like drug dealing.

 

Mayor Tom Dermody said he would prefer the structure be remodeled for continued use as housing as long as the facility becomes something positive for the city.  If torn down, he said the goal is for the ground to be redeveloped into something positive.