Neighbors who both support and oppose the proposed Melrose Point condominium project on Seventh Avenue near Glenrosa Drive turned out at a rally Friday evening during rush hour.
The building heights in that area are capped at 56 feet. The developer is looking to build as high as 120 feet.
Those who favor the midrise condominium believe it’s the "people" traffic generated by the project that will spur the vibrancy of their urban community. The opponents worry about the vehicle traffic that it will bring to their neighborhood.
At the rally on the Seventh Avenue curve, The supporters signs read: "Bye bye plight " and "Progress." One opponent’s sign read: "5,200 cars a day" to indicate how it would impact traffic.
Kurt Stickler, who has lived in the neighborhood for 15 years, said: "It’s going to bring in the density needed to support our small businesses and it’s going to make our neighborhoods safer and better."
But opponent Steve Szczepkowski, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1973, said: "It’s tall, too dense . . . it’s going to create too much traffic."
A California developer who wants to build the condominium is expected to plea his case before the City Council on Wednesday at 5 p.m..
by Grayson Steinberg and Monica Alonzo-Dunsmoor, The Arizona Republic
