INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Sept. 1, 2015)– A proposed sketch of an apartment and retail building in the Meridian Kessler neighborhood stirred up a lot of emotional feedback from people who live in the area.
The developer, TWG Development LLC, wants to build a four story, 205-unit apartment building at the site of the old AT&T property at Kessler and College Avenue.
Neighbors say they know it’s time for something to replace that building, but a majority of them are against a mixed use apartment and retail building.
“This is a very unique neighborhood. A lot of it was built in the 1920s and later. The architecture is very reminiscent of that era. So a building that takes that into account,” said resident David Barta.
More than 200 people packed the meeting. One by one coming up to the podium proclaiming why this development is a bad idea.
“It’s too big, too tall too far into the alley, doesn’t have adequate access to traffic and mainly just too big,” said resident Anna Tanner.
Beyond the fact the building would be made out of cement board and not brick, traffic was the other major concern. Many people say traffic would back up to their access alley and no traffic study was done before this idea was put on paper.
“It’s going to filter into the neighborhood and we have enough of a traffic backup. There’s no way to get that many cars in and out well,” said Tanner.
TWG Development LLC heard public comment for nearly two hours–with only one person for the project. Company representatives refused to talk to FOX59 on camera about their response to the neighbors concerns.
This meeting was one of many that will be held to discuss the project. From here, the Land Use Committee for the neighborhood will decide on a final recommendation based on what they heard from homeowners. That recommendation will be presented to the city on September 18.
