A condominium complex that includes nine units for lower-income families could be developed in Moorpark's downtown area next year.

David Moe, redevelopment manager for the city, said construction could begin late next year on the several-acre property in the block between Walnut Street and Moorpark Avenue, across from Moorpark City Hall.

The project must still go before the City Council and the planning department before it can be built, Moe said. If approved, the project will include 26 units, with nine designated for lower-income families.

The city's redevelopment agency, which purchased the land for use as an affordable housing site for low- and very-low-income families, recently approved the demolition of several structures in the area.

A house on Charles Street, adjacent to the site, was originally purchased by the redevelopment agency to be refurbished and sold as an affordable housing unit. Instead, that house will be demolished and the property will become part of the condominium site.

"The house is not habitable, and we didn't want to be considered slumlords by allowing people to live there," Moe said.

Additional properties owned by the redevelopment agency, including the site of an old fire station garage at 782 Moorpark Ave., will be included as part of the condominium site, but the city won't demolish any additional buildings until the council approves the project. The city contracted with San Buenaventura Research Associates to make sure a property on Walnut Street that will be part of the development site did not have historical significance.

Charles Street resident Javier Castillo said a condominium project is a good use for the site.

"If it's done right and is maintained, it can make the area look really nice. And the city definitely needs more affordable housing," Castillo said.

Moorpark City Councilwoman Roseann Mikos said the project site is one of several purchased by the city dedicated to affordable housing. She remains cautiously optimistic the project will be approved.

"There's always things that can derail a project such as this," Mikos said.

A 200-unit apartment complex proposed near Moorpark City Hall, which was going to include 50 units for lower-income families, was put on hold by the developer because of escalating costs.

"The apartment project took quite a few years to plan, so I was surprised that the developer suddenly made the decision to put it on hold. I'm still hoping things will work out with that project," Mikos said.