After years, even decades, of neglect, the city has spent a long time trying to lure businesses back to Waters Avenue. The boarded-up buildings and dilapidated homes make Waters Avenue a ripe place for development. "There seems to be a critical moment when something is ready to happen. We've been trying for a long time with Waters, but that time seems to be now," said District 2 Alderman Bill Durrence. The city has finished a significant portion of the Waters Avenue project.