Developer withdraws 'Streets of Brentwood' proposal - wave3.com-Louisville News, Weather & Sports

A controversial development plan for Brentwood is officially off the table. For months, people have taken sides over a proposal to build condos, restaurants and even a movie theater on Franklin Road.

Now, the developer has withdrawn those plans.

The so-called Streets of Brentwood project had been in the works for about two years, and developers called it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Brentwood, saying finally the city would have a true "town center."

The project's end is a disappointment for some but relief for others.

"Very excited. I think that it was going to be something that was too much for Brentwood. I think that we already have a lot of shopping centers," said resident Joanna West.

The plan called for more than 900,000 square feet of condos, offices, restaurants and retail. Many neighbors felt it was too much for Brentwood, fearing a new town center would increase crime and traffic.

A group called "Preserve Brentwood" took these concerns to city leaders, asking them not to re-zone the property.

"The things that were most concerning were the high density residences, the hotel, the theater," said resident Gerald Witcher.

After hearing so many concerns, developers promised to tweak their plans and submit a new proposal this week. Instead, they scrapped the project all together.

Developer Jimmy Granberry, in a letter to the city, said in part, "Based on our analysis of the requested revised proposal, we have determined the current situation is simply too volatile, and the financial risk simply too great, to continue to proceed with the project."

While this project is now off the table, neighbors said they know another could come soon.

"It can come up again in six months. Developers can do site work and bring it up again after our May elections, and we feel like that's one of the strategies they may be entertaining," Witcher said.

Developers also mentioned in their letter that concerns about the project came from a small, but admittedly loud section of Brentwood and said there were many supporters.

They also mentioned they'd invested thousands of hours and millions of dollars in this project so far, but it's not clear what they have planned for the property now.

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