Developer of 7-story apartments near UK drops project after neighbors push back
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Titan Investments will not pursue the proposed seven-story student apartment project.
- Multiple commercial buildings would have been razed for the project.
- Neighbors vocally opposed the project at the May 28 meeting, citing traffic and parking.
A Colorado developer will not pursue building a seven-story student apartment complex near the University of Kentucky after intense pushback from downtown Lexington residents.
Bruce Simpson, a lawyer for Titan Investments, said the group, which has built private college student apartments in other states, has opted not to move forward with the project once planned for property at the corner of Woodland Avenue and East High Street.
“Their sense was there was just so much animus, it was not a healthy choice to pursue,” Simpson said.
Titan Investments had an option to purchase property in the Woodland Triangle area for a proposed student apartment complex that would include 55 units and 260 bedrooms. Multiple commercial buildings in the area would have been razed to make room for the apartment complex. Some of those commercial buildings house Sassy Bleu, Dahlhus Fudge, ThunderKats Skate Shop and other retail shops.
But during a May 28 neighborhood meeting at Woodland Christian Church, many residents said they were vehemently opposed to the project, citing traffic, parking and other concerns.
Neighbors frequently interrupted and spoke over Simpson and Stuart Davis of Titan Investments during the meeting.
The area around the University of Kentucky has been ripe for development for private, student apartments. During the May 28 meeting, Davis said projections show UK will need an additional 5,000 beds to keep up with a growing student body.
There are currently two large, private, UK student apartment complexes under construction several blocks away on East Maxwell Street. A third apartment complex has been approved on South Limestone Street.
Many residents said a third student apartment complex will further exacerbate traffic and parking issues in the East Maxwell Street area.
Titan Investments would have needed to get a zone change to pursue the project, which requires approval by the Urban County Planning Commission. Residents are allowed to speak during those zone change hearings.
