HAMMOND | A long-standing Robertsdale eyesore will soon be torn down to make room for new single-family homes.

Bids were opened Thursday to demolish the former Lincoln-Lake Apartments at 1719 Lake Ave., just across Indianapolis Boulevard from Franklin Elementary School.

The two-story brick building has been home to as many as 24 families at a time for nearly 50 years, but the deteriorating condition of the structure -- and associated complaints from neighbors regarding parking congestion and crime -- led to its acquisition by the Hammond Redevelopment Commission this summer.

Proposals by firms to remove asbestos and demolish the apartments ranged from $86,440 to $234,100. The property itself is appraised at $407,000.

Commissioners agreed to fund the acquisition and removal of the now-empty complex through tax collections from a lakefront allocation area.

"This is a good use of tax increment financing money," said Richard Calinski, executive director of planning and development.

Planners envision five or six new single-family homes on the triangle-shaped property, and are currently evaluating proposals from developers for the site, Calinski said.

A contract for the asbestos remediation and demolition is expected when commissioners next meet on Nov. 18, and Calinski said the property should be cleared this winter.