Image by Quinn Dombrowski licensed under Creative Commons.

This article was posted as an April Fool's joke.

A new controversial project has drawn vigorous support from some residents but strong opposition from others. Proponents insist that it will enhance the community, while those against see it as yet another example of change in an already changing neighborhood. Both sides agree that the change that will greatly impact the quality of life, for better or worse.

Several local leaders and neighborhood activists insist that the project is an important way to help the community adapt to the 21st century and accommodate new ways of doing things that many residents want. They also argue that this is only a minor adjustment to previous plans.

Opponents disagree, insisting that the project does not fit into the character of the existing neighborhood and will ultimately render it unrecognizable from its current state. Both sides have marshaled data (and, more importantly, anecdotes) to support their vision for changing things or keeping them exactly the same.

Some community meetings have become intense affairs of shouting, foot-stomping and finger-pointing and the rhetoric on the neighborhood listserv has become increasingly vitriolic. The most passionate supporters and opponents insist that they love the neighborhood so much that they will move away if the wrong outcome comes to pass.

“I just moved here, and I would not have done so had I known that this project could have even been proposed,” said one opponent. “I can’t believe that no one consulted me to let me know ahead of time that such a change was even possible,” said another. “I have kids. What about them?” she continued.

“I have lived in this neighborhood for a long time and I can’t recall a time that our community was this divided,” said a resident who supports the project. “This is yet another example of how the side I disagree with on this issue continues to put their own interests over mine.”

Several residents have argued that this change will push elderly people out of their homes, while others insist it is necessary to ensure they can continue to live in their homes. The needs of poor residents have frequently come up, as affluent proponents say this change will help the less fortunate while wealthy opponents are certain it will harm the poor.

The fierce debate over the project has even garnered attention from the local media. After the last community meeting, one reporter filed a memorable story, “Community Members Square Off Over Controversial Project.” Several notable local newspaper columnists have written that this project is a prime example of the tensions over change in the region.

Both sides do agree that the current public process has not involved enough residents. Those who support the project and those who oppose it both believe that certain voices in the community have spoken up at public meetings out of proportion to their numbers, while a “silent majority” of other residents who agree with their side of the issue have not yet been heard. Local elected officials have generally agreed that the government agency or private organization promoting the project has not done enough to involve the community.

Tensions continue to run high, but a decision should be reached soon. Whether the community rallies behind the eventual outcome and the project is advanced or rejected, or whether the project moves forward or stalls and the rift carries on for years to come, remains to be seen.

We originally posted this article in 2014, but since nothing has changed, we thought we'd post it once more! Brain Manatee also contributed to this article.