YPSILANTI, MI – City police investigated a reported break-in at the former Frog Island Beer/Farm Bureau property Saturday.

Officers responded to the scene at 2-4 W. Forest Ave. about 3:30 p.m. Sept. 14, but the suspect fled without being apprehended.

Property owner Lorenzo Zamperla, a local building contractor, said he caught the suspect on video and provided footage to police.

The suspect, described as a young male, hopped a fence and kicked a security camera before going into one of the buildings through a previously boarded-up window, Zamperla said.

Nothing was stolen, he said.

Zamperla, who bought the dilapidated property four years ago, said he still hopes to do a major renovation of the former brewery supply store, antique storage facility, and grain and feed supply building.

In the meantime, there have been multiple break-ins or instances of trespassing by people he believes are curious urban explorers.

“It’s kind of a magnet because it’s such an interesting building,” Zamperla said of the nearly century-old Farm Bureau building.

Zamperla Brothers LLC purchased the property out of tax foreclosure for $17,200 in late 2015. Earlier that same year, the city placed the structures on its dangerous buildings list and demolition appeared likely, as officials expressed concern over structural and foundational issues that could cause a partial collapse.

“We got it for a steal because of all the issues with the building,” Zamperla said, indicating he’s been chipping away at cleaning up and addressing issues with the property.

“It’s a work in progress,” he said.

Zamperla was in talks a few years ago with investors who wanted to open a blues club, but they got cold feet, he said.

He’s currently looking at a mix of uses for the property, including some apartments, possibly student housing, as well as a restaurant on one side and an art studio space, he said.

“The building is zoned for mixed use, so it’s going to be a combination of things,” he said. “It’s got over 10,000 square feet of space.”

Zamperla said he’s still working on lining up investors and no formal plans have been submitted to the city.

“We want to save the skyline there and do something with those buildings,” he said. “I feel it’s the most unique building in Ypsi.”