CHARLOTTE -- The iconic Varnadore Building on Independence Blvd is slated to get a complete overhaul. But those plans have been slow-moving.

• Varnadore Building on Independence Blvd in Charlotte is slated to be revitalized, but that's been slow-moving. 
• It has been empty for more than 10 years.
• Developer is awaiting approval for LED signage. 

Neighbors say the Varnadore has the potential to be a great gateway from east Charlotte into Uptown. But the lot has been vacant for more than a decade and it's fallen victim to graffiti and illegal dumping. But this week the city council cleared a major hurdle for the developer, putting that dead zone on the path to new life.

Abby Bopp has lived beside the 7-story building for the past 13 years and had spearheaded much of the neighborhood involvement on what happens when it comes to revitalizing the Varnadore. Bopp see's the value of the building, but says it's an eye sore that needs to be fixed more quickly.

The building was built in 1962, but much of the time since then it's sat abandoned. “It's been going for upwards of 20 years that this lot and this property has been empty and we want it to be a destination,” says Bopp.

But now there's a new vision in the works by developer Beaver Creek CRE, LLC who is attempting to renew the building by turning it into mixed-use space.

This week, the council approved part of the project allowing the sale of the building, a feat two years in the making.

The developer is now just waiting for the NCDOT to determine whether a requested LED sign can be at the top.

We checked and NCDOT says the developer has not yet submitted their application for approval of the digital signage. Once it's received the review process could take several weeks.