Butler City Council expressed approval Tuesday for a plan that would turn the former Pullman-Standard office building into senior apartment-style housing.

The development of the Hansen Avenue property, which would be called Pullman Heights Senior Housing Apartments, is being spearheaded by Ohio-based developer Woda.

Joseph McCabe, a vice president with the company, told council members Tuesday night that Woda’s proposal, which he said is valued at $14 million, would turn the building into a 62-unit apartment complex that would cater to residents ages 62 and older. The apartments would be a mix of one and two-bedroom residences.

McCabe said the company has a “binding option” on the property, which is owned by Sumner McDanel of Penn Township and has been vacant for more than 30 years. Pullman-Standard, which manufactured freight rail cars, closed in February 1982.

Since the project would use federal and state tax credits, Woda would restore the building to its “original 1918 condition,” McCabe said, and give it National Register Landmark status.

The company intends to pitch the project to state officials early next month, McCabe said, and will likely learn whether it has been granted government approval by June.

McCabe said the plan calls for construction to begin by this fall, with residents moving in by summer of 2017 at the earliest.

Council members and Mayor Tom Donaldson all expressed support for the project.