The city is one step closer with its plans to demolish the Commons at Royal Landing.

The city of Whitehall signed a contract on Monday to purchase 17 acres of property that police call a problem area, with plans to demolish the Commons at Royal Landing in Whitehall.

Now, hundreds of residents who live at the apartment complex are being told they have to move.

Darlene Arnold’s neighborhood at Hamilton and Broad Streets in Whitehall is still new to her. She says she won’t get a chance to know the area much better because she’ll soon have to move.

"I will be replaced, but...everybody's situation here is different,” Arnold said.

Residents living at the Commons at Royal Landing don’t have a choice and must start packing.

The city’s community development director said plans to move forward with demolition of the apartment complex.

Community Development Director Gail Martineau said demolishing the property is the ultimate goal. "Right now, we're just focusing on the purchase and getting through July and then we'll explore future options there,” Martineau explained.

Whitehall’s mayor signed a contract on Monday for the city to buy the 17-acre property for a little more than $4.5 million. The city will pay for the project using tax increment funds, not its general fund. Martineau says the deal closes in mid-July.

City officials call the area a troubled spot plagued with drug crime.

"We've had more than 400 calls for service at that apartment complex in the last six months of 2015. Our police department calls it a "super user," and it has been identified and just not a safe environment,” Martineau said.

The city will send a letter to residents next week giving them official notice. Tenants will be able to stay at the Commons at Royal Landing until their current lease expires.

"If anything, if they really wanted to make it better, maybe get some security out here or something. I don't think they need to tear it down,” resident Malik Carter lamented.

Most residents say they aren’t worried about finding another place to live. Others tell 10TV they aren’t sure where they will go next. Arnold says somehow, she’ll land on her feet.

"I come from the shelter (and) had to do what I had to do to get in here, thanks to God. But God [has] this."