The Butler County commissioners on Wednesday approved a resolution supporting the development of senior apartments at the former Pullman-Standard office building.

The development, which is in its early stages, on Hansen Avenue would be known as Pullman Heights Senior Housing Apartment Project, and would contain up to 62 age-restricted affordable housing units. The Woda Group of Westerville, Ohio, is the developer.

The project would be financed primarily through tax credits obtained from the state Housing Finance Agency.

Commissioner Kim Geyer said passing this resolution shows the state that the county supports the project, and the letter of support would be attached to the development’s application for state funding.

The resolution also allows for the county to give a $375,000 loan to the developer for the project. The money would come from Act 137 fees from the recorder of deeds office, which are not tax dollars. The commissioners will have to take a vote later to decide to give the loan.

Geyer said the county has given Act 137 money for projects in the past. However, this is different because the developer will pay the county back.

Joe McCabe of Woda said the group will seek local contractors to do the construction, and noted that the property would not be tax-exempt.

The office building is believed to have been built before 1911, based on historical records. It was the administration building for Pullman-Standard until the freight car manufacturing company closed in February 1982.

It has since been vacant.

The 48,000 square-foot building is owned by Sumner McDanel of Penn Township, according to county records. It is listed for sale through Achieve Real Estate for $875,000, according to the agency’s website.