Residents near a controversial proposed 30-unit apartment complex tucked down an alley of 51st Street near Spruce Street presented details on their opposition last night during an online meeting with developers, who committed to rethink the project.

A year in the making, the meeting between representatives of Callahan Ward and residents near 303 S. 51st Street, which housed an auto mechanics shop in the past, did not result in any specific concessions. But developers said they would modify the proposal to build 30 market rate apartments to include an unspecified amount or type of affordable housing and community space in addition to ground floor commercial. 

Callahan Ward can build on the property “by right,” meaning they haven’t had to listen to community demands – until pending permits were turned down.

“I am committing that this project will look substantively different moving forward,” said Nino Cutrufello, a partner in Callahan Ward. “We’re not here to say no to anything.”

Cutrufello admitted that the developers “got off on the extreme wrong foot” with community members. The developers only agreed to the community meeting after the city rejected permits required to begin the project and after pressure from the grassroots group Neighbors for Healthy Community Development (NHCD), a group founded by nearby neighbors to fight the project.

The proposed complex includes a tight cluster of three buildings on the oddly positioned plot, which is adjacent to the backyards of several properties on Spruce, Street, Pine Street and 51st Street. The current proposal calls for a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Studios would rent for about $900 per month, one-bedrooms for $1,200 and two-bedrooms for about $1,600. It also includes three commercial spaces.

“That’s 30 apartments and three commercial spaces 17 feet from my back door,” said Kevin Gerads, whose home is adjacent to the property.

Residents voiced concerns about affordable housing, gentrification, possible environmental contaminants from previous uses of the property and parking among other issues. The apartment complex would be bordered on three sides by single family homes.