KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- It's been nearly two years since fire destroyed much of the historic McClung Warehouse buildings downtown.

Now, the Knoxville Community Development Corporation is seeking to take over the property.

The building's current owner, Mark Saroff has plans with the city to develop the property, but KCDC says he's missed the June deadline.

After working with the owner since 1994, KCDC is now looking to condemn the property, and hopefully sell it to someone who can restore it.

Neighbors in the Jackson Avenue area would like to see something done with the now gutted and charred buildings.

President of Graning Paint Company, Ken Adams, says, "An absolute shame that with all the good things going on in the downtown area that, that has just been left to deteriorate."

But Thursday, the Knoxville Community Development Corporation board voted to acquire the property following a recommendation of the Jackson Depot Advisory Board.

Some are concerned about condemnation and taking a persons property....

Adams says, "If that's absolutely the last resort than I suppose that's what will have to be done."

Some feel the city should work more with the owner to find a solution.

Nearby resident Chris Buchanan says, "I think proposals should be made to be honest. I don't think there's enough proposals made for anything there, either side of the issue."

But the board's director says they've been working on this with the owner since 1994.

KCDC Executive Director Alvin Nance says, "I think we've gone well beyond giving some leniency to Mr. Saroff to actually get this project done."

Nance says the advisory board has become concerned that since the fire the buildings now pose a safety issue.

He says once they acquire the buildings they will then seek to find a developer.

The fire has certainly changed the building and finding a developer may be difficult, but Nance says Knoxville has some pretty creative people.

Nance says, "It would be our hopes that whoever takes over those properties would be able to utilize them as they are today, or at least be able to keep them as part of the history of Knoxville."

Nance says they plan to first work with Saroff to reach a negotiated deal before seeking condemnation of the property through the courts.

Nance adds that this is currently just for the buildings that are still standing, although in the next few months they plan to begin acquisition of the property where the buildings burned.

Attempts to reach owner Mark Saroff were unsuccessful.