Louisville, Ky. (WDRB) -- An old church in the Cherokee Triangle neighborhood could soon become a boutique hotel. Some people are on board, while others are concerned about traffic.
What was formerly the Highland Methodist Church at the corner of Cherokee Road and Patterson Avenue could soon become a 26-room boutique hotel if developers get the green light to renovate. The process is in the very early planning stages.
"Taking a huge risk, putting a lot of their own personal investment, time, energy and money into making a property in our neighborhood better and improving something for the neighborhood," Jenny Johnston, a neighbor said.
She wasn't the only person to speak her mind at the meeting about the proposed project Wednesday. Many of them were concerned the hotel and event space would cause a traffic nightmare in their neighborhood.
Developers said they have a plan in place to have a valet service if the parking lot, which holds about 20 cars, would fill up.
"If I'm running a neighborhood place that's renting the place out, those people don't live here," Rob Riley, who lives in the Bonnycastle neighborhood said. "They're gonna park wherever they want to. That means the neighbors get inconvenienced in an unfair way for which the business never has to compensate them."
This is just one of several proposed developments in the area, including the One Park project near Cherokee Park.
Another meeting Wednesday was scheduled to discuss the possible demolition of a historic building on Highland Avenue for retail shops, apartments and office space. The Historic Landmarks and Preservation District had previously recommended the request be denied.
"If it means that we have to sit at a traffic light for another 10 or 15 seconds, I'm perfectly willing to do that," Johnston said. "I think we live in a destination neighborhood and our small, local businesses can only thrive and survive if there are people here to support them."
The developers still have a lot of red tape to go through. It's going to be several months before it makes it to Metro Council for approval.
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