The bill would approve a contract between the city and developers to trade two small square plots of land, turning one into a multi-use development and one into a public park that the developer would help fund.

Those opposed voiced concerns over what they felt was a lack of transparency during the project’s development, its potential to exclude or even increase the potential for harassment toward residents of colors and continue diminishing the area’s place as a historically black neighborhood.

Those in support were happy to have a park brought to the area. Many supporters said the plan provided funding that simply wasn’t otherwise available, while a few expressed disappointment that a discussion over a park had turned into a referendum on racially-based concerns.