A neighborhood group protesting a luxury development in a back alley near 51st and Spruce is organizing a community speak-out and rally tonight at 7 p.m. at Malcolm X Park (51st and Pine).

The group, Neighbors for Healthy Community Development (NHCD), has been protesting the proposal by developer Callahan Ward to build 33 market-rate apartments and commercial space in the lot located at 303 S. 51st Street since May 2019, pointing out several issues with the project, including fire hazard and environmental concerns. The proposed building would be surrounded by the backyards of several adjacent properties and the only access to the property would be via a small alley. 

Numerous community meetings have been organized since, including with the former councilmember Jannie Blackwell in October 2019. Blackwell sponsored legislation to rezone the parcel to single family residential use last fall, but it was too late since Callahan Ward had already bought it earlier and can build the building “by right,” meaning they don’t need community approval.

NHCD asked Callahan Ward to downsize the project and provide results of environmental impact studies, which they haven’t done so far and are planning to move forward with their plans.

“This disregard for the existing neighborhood is a glaring example of how gentrification and development preys on working class neighborhoods with little to no oversight,” reads a recent statement by NHCD. “Long-time residents face being driven out by rising taxes as well as having their physical health put at risk, all for the sake of a developer’s profit.”

Current City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) has supported NHCD’s efforts to oppose the project in its current form and to keep pressuring for concessions. “I think developers should look at this process as building a relationship with the community,” she said in November.

(A note from the organizers: If you’re going to tonight’s event please wear a mask/facial covering and observe social distance guidelines.)