NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — An affordable housing development backed by NBA legend and Hampton Roads-native Allen Iverson is moving forward.
The Newport News City Council approved a rezoning request for the project in the Denbigh community last night. Earlier this year, the council voted against the development after neighbors raised concerns about traffic congestion near Fort Eustis.
Watch previous coverage: Traffic concerns raised over the Allen Iverson-backed housing proposal
The plan calls for 120 affordable apartments for families in Hampton Roads — something Iverson has advocated for in his local neighborhoods for several years.
Sean Fowler, who lives in the neighborhood that backs up to the lot, has been voicing concerns about the development for months. While he acknowledges the need for additional housing in Newport News, he worries about increased traffic congestion.
"It's going to create traffic jams in the morning and we think people are going to get anxious to leave the apartment place and that's going to create an environment for accidents to happen," Fowler said.
To address traffic concerns, the road leading to the apartments will be widened and a turn lane will be created on Fort Eustis Boulevard.
"I want everyone to hear that we are committed to developing a very nice project. If approved, we're definitely going to hold up our end of the bargain and we look forward to bringing something nice to Newport News," the developer, Alvin Keels, Jr., said.
After months of debate, the project is moving forward.
"You bought here because of the trees. It makes you feel like you're in the woods, but on the flip side to that, it's not our land so it's not land that belongs to you and someone wants to buy it and do something with it. There's only so much you can do to complain about it," Fowler said.
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