Work on a redevelopment plan in the midtown area is well underway. but some residents there are not happy with the project.
Bluestone Development plans to build apartments near 51st and Leavenworth, and crews have been busy with demolition work to prepare the area. Neighbors who opposed the apartments watched the demolition work with sadness. "I think it's a real shame because that house was really something. Went through this house and the one off Leavenworth that they already torn down. It was all marble in the inside...homes a lot of people would die for." Longtime neighborhood resident Gary Pospisil says it's not only hard to see the houses go, but to see more traffic that will eventually move through this quiet neighborhood. "Coming and going from Leavenworth there's no way you're gonna get--it's all back up now during rush hour. Can't imagine someone trying to get on or off later on."
Bluestone Development originally proposed 215 apartments last fall, but lowered it to 193. Also included: nearly 200 hundred parking stalls, some below, others on surface areas. But not everyone is upset. "It's fine by me. It's their's. They can build what they want. Do what they want." Doug Harding has lived at Elmwood tower for 10 years. and much like his neighbors has been watching all the activity on the site. He says residents in the area need to back away from this losing fight. "It's none of their business. They own it they do what they want."
The Planning Board approved the apartments in February. However, the City Council is withholding discussion on the plan for the next couple of weeks.
