"Now, we tell the soil test guys to go in and the environmental guys to go in and we pray like heck it's OK," said Ron Errett, executive director of the agency.

City council recommended Monday that the Farrell Redevelopment Authority grant an option to the agency to buy nine lots in the 600 block of Spearman Avenue for the project.

The sale price will be nominal, said City Manager LaVon Saternow.

The agency already had an option on land on Hamilton Avenue between Federal and Union streets, but a soil test showed the ground to be unsuitable for building, possibly from previous construction material or landfill remnants.

The agency decided it would be too costly to make the site suitable for construction, and asked city officials to choose a new site.

Errett said the new site, although now vacant, has had houses on it before and is flat, which he said he hopes is an indication that it will pass the soil test.

"We went down there and looked at it and had our architect looked at it and we love it," he said, adding that it is closer to services, such as transportation.

"It's a better site all around," he said.

The site already is in a multi-family residential zone. The agency will have to ask for a variance to allow it to build without meeting the zoning ordinance requirements of have 20 parking spots, Errett said. He said it is unlikely any of the potential residents will drive.

The agency, which would build the apartments through a non-profit affiliate, Independence Park Inc., has a $717,000 grant from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development for construction.

The grant also comes with a $142,500 rental subsidy for qualified tenants.

The apartments would be available to very-low income adults.

HUD is concerned about the length of time it has taken for the project to move forward, Errett said.

"We are now under the gun to get things going pretty quickly," he said, adding he believes the agency has until Nov. 30 to start construction or risks losing the grant.

"After two years, why walk away?" Errett said.