The Altoona Blair County Development Corp. is working toward finding the “highest and best use” for its recently acquired Gable’s building — then facilitating that outcome, according to ABCD CEO Steve McKnight.

The two-part structure that occupies all of one side of the 1300 block of 12th Avenue and a portion of one side on the 1300 block of 11th Avenue is the largest anchor building in the downtown.

For now, as ABCD seeks other homes for a couple of remaining tenants, “all options are on the table” — although the ideal would seem to be a renovation that creates a mix of commercial and residential uses, McKnight said.

ABCD plans to secure the building once it’s empty, then commission an engineering study to take a detailed look at what the building is capable of supporting — along with the economic potential of the project, McKnight said.

ABCD also plans to create a stakeholders group that would include ABCD and city officials, including those in the Redevelopment Authority, to help guide the effort.

After that, it could create, then issue a request for proposals from developers.

Perhaps a year from now, the property could be handed over to a developer, McKnight said.

The project will need to include the parking garage attached at the 13th Street end of the 12th Street segment of the building, according to McKnight.

It was condemned as unsafe several years ago by the city’s Department of Codes and Inspections and has been closed ever since.

It’s uncertain whether the garage will end up being renovated or razed and reconstructed, McKnight said.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.