City officials have seen movement on a blighted property located on Nesmith Street.

The property at 9 Nesmith St., located off of Glade Avenue on Warren’s north side, was before the City of Warren’s Redevelopment Authority recently. Randy Rossey, city director of codes and planning, said a second blight declaration was passed against the property in February.

“At the time it was in the hands of the Veterans Administration,” he said. “It has a lot of issues.”

Those issues include the need for a new roof, foundation issues and structural problems. Rossey said that Loui Benetti purchased the property through the VA.

“He does have a plan,” he added.

Benetti told the RDA that he “gutted the interior down to the studs” and removed water from the basement.

He told the RDA he hasn’t been able to inspect the basement yet but will be in town next week to do so.

“I believe within a year we should have the house up to code and in a livable condition,” he said. “It’s a salvageable house from my perspective. I do buy distressed homes and remodel them. I believe they can be saved.”

The RDA agreed to give him some time and invited the owner back to the November meeting.

A second Veterans Administration property – 15 N. Irvine St. – was also before the RDA.

Rossey said he wanted to make the RDA aware of the property but cautioned movement would be limited “until we can get someone to talk to us from the VA….”