Building destroyed by fire still standing

in south- central el paso destroyed in a massive fire last year — is still standing tonight. and it’s creating a major eyesore for those who live in the area… or take their kids to school. tonight, our stephanie valle tells us change is finally coming to the three=thousand block of rivera … just across the street from beall elementary. you’ll see this story only on abc-seven: residents have been dealing with this hazard for months. 25 “we can’t walk. we’ve got to go through the street. and it just needs to be fixed.” 29 and they’ll have t deal with the blight for months more. “it’s bad, because this is not bad neighborhood — it’s a very good neighborhood — and it makes it seem bad.” “the nonprofit project vida own this building. “we reported i 2014 — it bought the property a week before the fire. “the executive director told me over the phone — the organization still envisions building affordable apartments here.” steph project vida referred me to the city’s community development department for project details. “it is a tedious process. because we have to abide by the federal rules since this is federal money, and we have to make sure we make the site is safe.” the city is awaiting an environmental clearance from the department of housing and urban development. that can take up to 45 days. once approved — the building will be demolished. “for certain we have to hav construction of the new units by this time next year, so september of 2016 we have to have started construction.” meantime — residents will have to remain patient. “i know they’re probably tire of seeing the blighted structure, but it’s going to turn into a bright spot for the neighborhood.” consider it an early christmas present — for 2016. sv, abc- seven. city council describes the affordable housing complex as a two story building with 2- and 3-bedroom apartments. it was given 1-point-5 million million dollars from hud funding. meanwhile, el apso county