(La Porte, IN) - A historic structure in La Porte is being torn down.

 

The old Coca Cola bottling plant on Rumely St. started being demolished on Monday. 

 

Originally, the structure was going to be remodeled into housing for people transitioning from homelessness under plans approved by the city in 2023.  Now, a new structure for the same purpose is going to replace it.

 

Tucker King, Assistant Director of Engineering for the city, said the plans changed after health risks and other issues related to the structure were discovered.

 

“The glazed brick on the interior was all lead-based glaze. There was a lot of asbestos and the roof was failing in multiple parts,” he said.

 

King said the cost of addressing the issues during a remodeling turned out to be more expensive than new construction.  King said the tear down is expected to take a few weeks while construction of the new facility will take about one year to complete. 

 

The developer obtained a $7.5 million state grant to entirely cover the cost of construction.  16 one and two bedroom units are planned with monthly rent covering utilities and Wi-Fi based on 30 percent of an individual’s gross income.  The rent will be subsidized with separate, ongoing grants from the state.