What is up with the ghost town on Yuma Street SE?

Last week I was heading over to the Ferebee-Hope Community Pool (which desperately needs a sign) when I encountered blocks of fenced and vacant apartment buildings on Yuma and 8th Streets SE. There had to be well over a dozen multi-family dwellings, most with boarded up windows. It was like a modern day ghost town and absolutely spooky.  I couldn't tell if the buildings were being prepared to be demolished or renovated. I'm not sure but perhaps this was a former (or future) public housing project? A few buildings near the corner of Yuma Street and 4th Street appeared to be occupied.

Does anyone know the story here? How long has it been this way? What are the plans for these buildings?

FYI - This subdivision isn't very far from the vacant 4th Street Vistas subdivision that went up for auction a few months ago.

UPDATE: According to a comment on this post these buildings have been vacant since at least since 2011. Further proof that Ward 8 lags behind the rest of the city when it comes to development.

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