Calls are being made for a regeneration project that will see 19 much-needed new homes for older people in Derry to make further progress.
The £2.7m project from the Clanmil Housing Group will see the building renovated to provide 19 modern apartments for active over the 55s on Waterloo Street.
The project is being funded by Clanmil with the assistance of grant support from the Department for Communities via the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
Read more: Use of fireworks in Derry 'catastrophe waiting to happen' says community group
However, no progress has been made on the proposed development for some time, with people contacting MyDerry to complain about it being an "eyesore".
A Derry City and Strabane District Councillor is now calling on the developers to complete the project as promised.
The regeneration project will breathe new life into the building, formerly used as office accommodation, which has been derelict for a number of years.
Meanwhile, existing ground floor retail units including Rockets and Paolo's Pizza will continue to operate as normal.
Aontú councillor, Emmet Doyle, said: "The development was for accommodation for the over 55s but no work has taken place now for some time and areas around the hoarding had become filled with litter.
"Its location means it can be the first large building people coming from William Street see. I spoke to the Council Chief Executive last week about it to find out the current status of whether work was going to recommence or to at least have the area tidied and I know others have been contacted about this also.
"I am glad to see some movement this week to address the visual and litter problem, but we must now look to the situation with the development itself to ensure this site doesn't lie empty.
"I hope to speak to the planner next week to see what contact we can make on this."
READ NEXT:
Derry man to take on 12th marathon in memory of his beloved aunts
NI mum on how autistic son inspired new higher education qualification
Woman reunited with wedding ring after it was lost on beach for two months
To get the latest breaking news from Co Derry straight to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter.
