Neighbors Fear Losing 'Peace And Quiet' During Gathering Place Construction

TULSA, Oklahoma -

Saturday is the big groundbreaking on the Gathering Place, the $350 million dollar park along Riverside Drive. The neighbors of the park worry the price of progress will cost them their peace and quiet.

The timeline for construction is three years, just on phase one.

Neighbors know their property values will soar when it's done, but until then, they worry about living next to a huge construction site, especially a temporary office building that is twice as big as any of their homes, and right next door.

At the Gathering Place site, there's a rush to get ready for the groundbreaking, but it's nothing compared to the job that's just ahead - massive dirt work and road repairs through the park.

9/16/2014 Related Story: Thousands Expected For Tulsa's Gathering Place Ground Breaking

Alongside all the upcoming construction is a quiet street, Boston Place, which runs along the eastern edge.

Where the park and neighborhood meet on a lot sized for a house, Manhattan Construction plans to build a 7,000 square foot temporary office. Neighbors like Millie York don't want it there.

The big giant building does not fit in with the neighborhood, when you're in a neighborhood, all the buildings should conform somewhat, that's not a commercial lot, it's single family, York said.

The city requires a zoning exception for the building, and the neighbors hope to influence the plans during the process.

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Neighbors Fear Losing 'Peace And Quiet' During Gathering Place Construction