HAZLETON -- From lockup to living room, a building in Hazleton that once housed inmates may soon house senior citizens.
Developers hope the building will bring new life to the city, but before any work can be done, the application needs to be approved by Hazleton's zoning board.
The Altamont building used to house inmates from a minimum security facility called MinSec. But because of some trouble with the inmates, the halfway house closed in 2012.
Now nearly four years later, instead of inmates, developers hope senior citizens move in.
"I think it will be a great idea because we need one in here, you know? We only have the one up here and the new one coming in on Church Street and that's about it, I think, in this area," said Marie George of Hazleton.
The seven-story building on Broad Street once housed inmates from MinSec halfway house until people complained of problems from the minimum security facility. The place closed in 2012.
Now the same owners hope to bring new life to the building, but first they have to get approval from Hazleton's zoning board.
"It looks like they want to put about 60 units of senior housing in the Altamont building, which is downtown and which will be a great boost to our downtown business, and most of all help for housing for our seniors," said Hazleton Fire Chief Donald Leshko.
Hazleton's fire chief is familiar with the building and hopes the zoning board will work very closely with developers on this project.
Those developers expect renovations to cost around $15 million.
With the buildings troubled past, city officials want to make sure senior apartments will go in this building. Now, some folks we spoke to tell us they hope these new developments will unlock a brighter future for the city.
Dotty Bolish from Hazleton tells us she knows about the buildings history, and despite any previous problems, the owners deserve a second chance. She also thinks it will allow seniors to get places faster.
"It's centrally located and everything is right around. It's, what, two blocks away from Giant and there is churches all around. There are places for them to sit and eat. I think it's ideal."
Owners of the Altamont told Newswatch 16 they also hope to move a restaurant into the building.
They are expected to meet with the Hazleton Zoning Hearing Board on February 18.