The future of the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles' former headquarters off New Bern Avenue in Raleigh remains uncertain.

In January, four years after the DMV moved its headquarters from Raleigh to Rocky Mount, the city of Raleigh purchased the property for $20 million.

The city plans to demolish the buildings at the 5.88-acre site at 4121 New Bern Ave. and use the property for what it calls "community-driven development" based on public input.

People who live in the area told WRAL News it's difficult to drive past the empty parking lot and asbestos riddled building with its windows boarded up.

"What are we going to do with it, and why is it such an eyesore?," asked James Cannon.

Frank Jones, who also lives in the area, said it's even worse to know it will be years before something is put in its place.

"That's an extra resource that could help this community," Jones said. "This community is struggling right now."

The city of Raleigh is trying to figure out what to do with the vacant lot. Once the structure goes through asbestos abatement, the plan is to tear the building down by the middle of next year.

The city said wants the public to help decide it's future, and all ideas are on the table.

"We were able to gather some initial feedback from residents," said Nadia Moreta, who is part of a group tasked with gathering as many ideas as possible from people in the area. "Affordable housing is a top choice that people have been mentioning to us. But people also want a community space."

Moreta said the process still has a long way to go, and it could be years before the lot is redeveloped. In the meantime, some people have thought of ways to use the parking lot before a new building goes up.

"We are thinking of ways to activate the space," Moreta said. "Maybe hold some events, things catered towards different demographics, like our unhoused population and the youth in the area."

Residents said they don't mind a long wait to replace the building as long as it's worth it.

"We want to make sure that it's something that's going to enhance the community, bring some vitality to the community, not displace anyone, but really attract more people to the area," said Shawn Singleton, pastor at the nearby Martin St. Baptist Church.

The community engagement team plans to gather ideas until the end of February before presenting their recommendation to Raleigh City Council sometime in April.