Midtown Sacramento Seniors Concerned Skyscraper Project Could Close Them Off
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A new fight is brewing between a senior citizen community and an ambitious Sacramento developer.
That developer is approved to build Midtown's tallest residential building to date, but not if the senior citizens get their way.
The residents of the quaint senior center at 25th and J streets are anything but quiet. They're on a mission to stop the local developer who from ruining their view.
Donna Roys moved into St. Francis Manor for the views and fresh air, but the 80-year-old says those precious moments on the balcony will soon be blocked.
"If they put up 15 stories over there, how are we going to get the fresh air?" she said.
The Sacramento Planning Commission recently voted to approve plans to build 15 stories of businesses, condos and underground parking across the street from the senior center. It would be Midtown's tallest building.
"It also would be Midtown's monstrosity," Roys said.
She and her neighbors have written letters to the Sacramento City Council and signed petitions demanding the developers reconsider the plan, or at least its location.
"Like there's two buildings hanging vacant on 10th and 11th street," she said.
The building would be named Yamanee, a term to describe something spicy, and spice is just what the developer thinks Midtown can use.
Jim Wiley is the lawyer representing the developer. The project was slated to break ground next spring, but his goal now is to win an appeal against opponents.
"It is looking at the future, and how people will live," he said. "We believe it will bring amenities to the people across the street."
For now, Roys plans to continue fighting in person for her peace, quiet and sanity.
"Can you imagine what the noise is going to be?" she said. "When they start pounding and booming? It's going to be to the point they're going to have us all in mental hospitals and I think I'm going to send that developer the bill."
The city council will hear the appeal on Tuesday night.
