Anyone who has driven by the old Kawneer Building on Front Street in Niles has undoubtedly noticed some changes.

The building, located next to the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, is being torn down by Kinexus as part of the non-profit organization’s effort to eliminate blighted properties from Berrien and Van Buren counties.

Kinexus received a blight removal grant in 2013 to complete the project through the Michigan Department of Human Services, Michigan Land Bank and the Michigan State House Development Authority.

The grant provided funding to remove 15 residential and four commercial structures.

The Kawneer building, 1105 N. Front St., once served as the headquarters of the Kawneer Corp., which made window fixtures and store fronts, but closed in the early 1980s.

It is one of two properties in Niles included in the blight elimination initiative. The other is the old YMCA building at 315 W. Main St.

Megan McCausland, director of communications for Kinexus, said the organization worked with local municipalities to identify properties for the project.

Once the Kawneer Building is demolished, Kinexus will move on to the old YMCA building.

McCausland said both buildings will be down by mid-September.

The old YMCA is owned by the YMCA. CEO Mark Weber said they are exploring options but no plans have been made for the property.

Kinexus is a non-profit organization that invests millions of dollars each year connecting people, investments and organizations in southwest Michigan with strategies and services.