(La Porte, IN) - The old Don George Ford on Pine Lake Avenue started being torn down yesterday as more blighted properties are demolished in La Porte.

 

Mayor Tom Dermody said the goal has been to start tearing down the buildings before the end of the year.

 

“We did what said we were going to,” Dermody said.

The buildings, including one with a hole in the roof, were considered no longer safe and an eyesore years after the property had been abandoned. 

 

One vision is to sell the now city-owned property to a developer to put something valuable to the community. The ideas include a restaurant with a scenic overlook of Lily Lake and a public access kayak launch.

 

Dermody says he wants a fresh start in that property for residents. The city has received bids from developers, but the price offered for the property has fallen short of the city’s desired asking price.