Heated debates and a newly issued lawsuit over a new building project slated for downtown Warren have dominated recent city council meetings. The discussions and lawsuit revolve around a building located on the corner of Liberty Street and Pennsylvania in downtown Warren.

The building, which has been vacant for several decades, was sold to the Hudson Group in 2018.

The Hudson Group, a developer from Hermitage, PA, proposed a lower-income senior housing project for the site, dubbed Eagles Crest, named after the decorations that currently adorn the building. The city accepted the offer, but local business owners and residents have expressed concerns over the agreement, stating that the project contradicts recent initiatives aimed at attracting a younger demographic to the area.

“We are becoming a very vibrant community again," stated David Winans, a local building owner. "There have been so many improvements and investments made throughout the city, from wider sidewalks to brand-new restaurants. I am concerned that this is going to deter some of those efforts.”

Representatives from the City of Warren explained that the project is exclusively for seniors. As they are an ever-growing segment of the population, it was done with their best interest in mind, to provide another clean, quality housing option. They also stated that the Hudson Group has complied with all city and zoning ordinances throughout the process.

“The Hudson Group has been very compliant with all of our ordinances," stated Dave Wortman, Mayor of the City of Warren. "The city has taken the issue up on a number of different occasions; this project goes back to 2018. We accepted the proposal by Hudson, and to go back or request an outside study would not be beneficial. We need to treat each investor fairly and by the same set of rules; we want to encourage them to invest in our city.”

Local business owners and historical enthusiasts argue that proper considerations were not made regarding the historical nature of the property and its location in the historic district. “They intend on tearing the current building down to build the housing, which is an issue," explained Winans. "The building was a contributing structure for our historic district; this is a concern to us. I have no issue with low-income housing, but in this instance, I think it’s inappropriate for this area, for this location.”

“I just hope for the best interest of all involved, that this is resolved quickly, and we can move on because we have great things going on in the city of Warren,” Mayor Wortman stated.

Erie News Now will continue to monitor this developing story and will keep you updated as we learn more.