Overview
- Crews began tearing down Building 9 at 5655 Old National Highway on Thursday, led by contractor The M Mitchell Group, with work expected to take about two weeks.
- Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs and District 5 Councilmember Keosha B. Bell framed the move as long-awaited progress focused on resident safety and removing blight.
- The complex saw six homicides in 2023 and a string of shootings and fires since, leading city leaders to deem the property a persistent public-safety threat.
- A 2020 fire displaced 24 families and exposed hazardous conditions, including tampered meter rooms and extension cords strung through hallways.
- City leaders said three additional buildings are slated for demolition by May, after concluding late last year that the troubled complex was beyond standard repair.