A laundry is one of the businesses in the revived Avon Building

MIDDLETOWN – The former Avon building sat empty on James Street in Middletown for 25 years. The city wound up taking it over for back taxes and entertained thoughts of knocking it down.

Two years ago, Middletown resident Hari Godhwani bought the building from the city for $200,000 and over the next 24 months, sunk some $1.5 million into it, building five street level stores and nine apartments above.

At a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday, Mayor Marlinda Duncanson said redevelopment of the building will add to the rebirth of the city’s downtown.

“Mr. Godhwani has had the vision to come in and invest in it and open two businesses today,” she said. The Downtown Laundry and Prestige Pharmacy will be a tremendous boost to the downtown area, the mayor said.

Godhwani immigrated to the United States from New Delhi, India in 1979. “I hope this building will serve to the testament of the American dream,” said his daughter, Neetu Godhwani.

Godhwani is courting other businesses, including offices, for his remaining space and expects to lease the apartments in short order.