Project near Temple raises ire

Proposed development near the Temple University Regional Rail Station at Ninth and Berks streets has gotten political and green-innovation attention as a “transit oriented Development Project” involving mixed-income housing and retail.

On Thursday, City Council unanimously approved an ordinance proposed by Councilman Darrell Clarke for a development 1900-70 N. Ninth St. But the vote came after resident Toni Smart railed against Clarke for not involving the community in discussions.

“We don’t just want a rock in the middle of it all that says, ‘This is where black folks resided,’” said Smart, who brought a petition with some 200 signatures. “We’re going to take this legal.”

Clarke invited Smart for a sit-down conversation and noted that the company in charge of the project recently made “260 affordable homes for sale just south of there.”

Follow Brian Hickey on Twitter @MetroBHickey.