Residents Worry As Mixed Use Project Eyes Open Space

"After two years of discussions with city officials, a Virginia-based developer is one major step from getting approval to build a mixed-use complex of single-family homes, nearly 8,000 square feet of retail shops and about 45 condominiums, city officials said."

"Residents in the area, who have closely followed the West Street project's progress, remain worried about how it will affect traffic and the physical makeup of the neighborhood."

"'People want to go where it's cool, and that eventually kills the coolness, unfortunately,' said Elizabeth Seabrook, who has lived on Southgate Avenue since 1976."

"The Murray Hill Residents Association asked the city to buy the front portion of the lot from the developer. That plan would have allowed for the construction of the homes on Steele and Southgate avenues, but the retail and condominium complex would have been replaced with a park."

"'This is really the last chance to save some land on West Street for public use,' association President Denise Worthen said. 'This wouldn't just benefit us, it would benefit the city and allow them to have street fairs and other outdoor events.'"