Tensions rise over Jacksonville veterans housing project

Tensions were high among neighbors fighting to keep an apartment center for homeless veterans out of their community on the south side of Jacksonville.

A meeting was held to discuss the center that would help needy vets, but neighbors say they don’t want any part of it.

It was standing room only inside the Quality of Life Center.

It was a meeting to talk about a center to house veterans coming to the Southside neighborhood.

Our camera was rolling just minutes into the meeting, when things got heated.

“My impression from this meeting is that everyone is so upset, and there was little opportunity to talk to the community about how important this is to help our veterans,” said Mark Ulerie with Marlin Enterprises.

Ulerie helping veterans is something the apartment center with 23 rooms will do.

Neighbors say they don’t feel safe with the building next door.

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Ulerie reassured them the veterans will have to pass a drug test and background check before being accepted into the program.

Some were okay with that idea.

“I don’t see where 23 adults who need help -is going to be a problem. We’re making the problem up,” said Mark Bunting.

But others weren’t on board, even considering legal action, to stop the project.

“We have to explore some options. I don’t know, they basically told us we don’t have any of recourse, so that’s something we have to explore,” said Markos Karayanakis.

The builders say they are legally able to build this apartment project, and it’s cleared by the city.

They will start building at the end of this year.

Cox Media Group