There are big plans in store for a midtown neighborhood. The plan is to knock down a handful of rental houses and put up apartments and townhouses. The plans have some are excited and others left with reservations.
Some neighbors, like Janet Chytil, don’t want to see the area around Saddle Creek and Pacific replaced with this two dozen townhomes and 130 apartments.
"I’m not real crazy about it. I kind of like the neighborhood the way it is,” Chytil told 6 News. "It just seems like a shame to take this all out.”
City council members support the plans to get rid of what some say are rundown rental houses. Tuesday they unanimously voted to rezone the area allowing Bluestone Development to move forward.
“I know this developer I know how hard they try,” said Chris Jerram. The developer believes the housing will feed a need of providing quality housing for people wanting to live near UNMC. They've been working with neighbors who were worried about parking and aesthetics.
Mark Vondrasek considers himself a constructive critic when it comes to the development. "This development is happening. It's already a pretty good development they have made some pretty good concessions along Pacific Street to make sure the look of the neighborhood is kept intact, and I really appreciate that,” said Vondrasek.
Still, there are some worried about cost. The average apartment will rent for around $1,100 – too high for people like Vondrasek who grew up here. Vondrasek doesn't want to be priced out of his own neighborhood.
The developer says that this project is furthering the goals of the city's master plan which is providing higher quality housing options in a diverse way. The developers say they hope to begin construction as soon as possible.