CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A south Charlotte neighborhood could soon be transformed because of plans to tear down houses and replace them with an apartment building.
It project would be near the Jewish Community Center on Providence Road.
The area is already at a tipping point for traffic and safety, according to those who live in the neighborhood, and there could be 150 apartments for retirees on the way.
A row of buildings, five-stories high, are in stark contrast to the simple ranch homes facing demolition on Providence Road and Jefferson Drive.
"It's completely out of context with this neighborhood," resident Fred Rice said.
Rice, who said he has tried to confirm rumors of such a plan with the JCC for years, is now knocking on countless doors to make his neighbors aware.
"Knocked on 200 doors, passed out 200 flyers and talked to probably 100 people. None of them knew anything about it," Rice said.
Aldersgate partnered with Shalom Park to develop the property and they're asking Charlotte city leaders to rezone about 11 acres at that location.
Plans show six buildings around the existing Temple Israel, including independent living apartments and an assisted care center.
In the plans, there were also two new entrances, one on Providence Road and another into the Jefferson Park neighborhood where neighbors said they literally dodge traffic as it is.
"Every single person that we've talked to on the street on Jefferson Drive really fears for their safety," resident Austin Combs said.
Rice and other residents are not asking for the entire project to be scrapped – they just a compromise.
"What could be done as an alternative to what they're trying to do?” Rice said.
An Aldersgate representative said it strives to be responsive to residents' concerns.
The developer was committed to adjusting building height and are working to minimally impact traffic, Aldersgate's rep said.