Approximately 40 Pine Street residents gave the City Council a petition against a proposed community center on a double lot at 183 Pine Street.

“It’s a great idea, but in a bad location,” said resident Lycel Villanueva. “It took years to renovate my house in Lafayette Avenue, two doors down from the proposed childhood development center. There are many other parcels to consider.”

The site would be used for an after-school program 20 hours a week for 60 children from School 22 nearby.

The non-profit Team Walker would run the program.

Founded in 1996 by brothers Jasper and Jerry Walker, the organization runs programs out of public schools. It has been seeking its own space for a decade

Resident Bernice Davis believes Walker should find a more suitable site. “Community Development Block Grant funded this program and is considered to be built on residential block. Jerry walker wants to spend $400,000 to raze the existing structure. He spent $600,000 also wasted, for a program that runs only 20 hours a week, from 3-7 p.m.,” Davis told the City Council.

Many residents disagreed.

“There is nothing more responsible than spending this money. It’s not just a community center. It’s a place where kids could call home and get help,” said resident Leonett Martin.

Resident Philip Carrington agreed.

“All I hear against this project is based on ignorance. You can put the community center wherever you want. Don’t let them tell you to go somewhere else,” he told the City Council, adding that the property was formerly a pool hall and bar.

Zoning laws allow for a community center on Pine Street, but Team Walker still needs approval by the Planning Board.