Naveed Minhas

Putting a 48-unit apartment complex on Fairmount Avenue would be too dangerous for the one-lane street that already has too much traffic, according to several homeowners.

"Accidents," said 87-year-old Mary Jack, "that's the main thing. The street is just not prepared for that much traffic."

Mrs. Jack is among several homeowners concerned about the Chattanooga Housing Authority's plan to rebuild what will be a 48-unit public housing complex at the end of the avenue, a one-lane, dead-end street.

For at least the past four years, occupancy at Fairmount Avenue Apartments -- currently a 24-unit apartment complex -- has dwindled to about five households.

CHA board members are scheduled to discuss residents' concerns at a meeting today.

CHA Vice President of Development Naveed Minhas said a recent traffic study on the street showed the road should be able to handle the expected traffic.

Kendra Thrash, who lives on Fairmount Avenue, said she remembers the problems when the complex was full -- more crime, trash and traffic -- and doesn't want to experience the same problems again.

In September, CHA announced it was among only 36 housing agencies in the country to receive federal stimulus money to create more environmentally responsible public housing.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Development awarded $4.8 million to CHA to rebuild Fairmount Avenue Apartments. If all goes as planned, the agency's only public housing site north of the Tennessee River will include solar panel roofs, strategically placed shade trees and walking trails.

And instead of having 28 units, the new Fairmount Avenue Apartments will have 48, CHA officials said. The grant money to rebuild the complex already is in the bank, they said, and they plan to start obligating the funds in November.

Mrs. Jack said she opposes the expansion.

"There's not enough room for that many people," she said. "It's like putting everybody in a driveway."

The street is so narrow that two cars can't travel parallel on it, Mrs. Jack said, and one car has to pull to the side of the road if another wants to pass.