PAINESVILLE, Ohio -- Flood waters forced residents of a Painesville condo complex out of their homes nearly three years ago, and the nightmare in many ways didn't end until now.

After floodwaters ripped through Gristmill Condominiums in July 2006, the owners were left with properties they couldn't live in or sell as they waited for government help to arrive.

The problems began in July 2006 when a quick 10 inches of rain pushed the Grand River over its banks, forcing floodwaters to rise 8 feet in 20 minutes.

Nearly three years later, the units sit abandoned and boarded up, its owners for the longest time left in limbo.

Jennifer Gardner and her family have moved six times since the flood.

"We were never sure when things were going to be settled. We had hoped in a year, so we rented for a year then moved on. So, a lot of moves, a lot of energy and exhaustion," said Gardner.

But on Tuesday, federal and state officials were on hand to present the condo association with a check for $2.3 million for the fair market purchase of their homes.

Crews are in the process of removing asbestos from the units. Once that is done, they will be demolished and the land turned into a park.

Rep. Steve LaTourette, who helped acquire 75 percent of the money needed said it's a win for all of Painesville.

"It's a ghost town, it smells like must and there's not much you can do with it so this is big," LaTourette said.

It's a day condo owners thought might never come.

Millstone is another condo complex that still needs to be acquired.

The total cost of the plan is $8 million to acquire and demolish the properties and another $1 million to create the park.