Another concern is that the proposed site is in an area that Maynard said was intended to be primarily residential.

“The East Village, where this property is located, has seen some of the best development in the city and is key to revitalizing downtown,” he said. “I think this is a betrayal to people who have invested to revitalize the area and is not in keeping with the Planning Department’s original intent.”

Maynard also said the business owners who operate in the buildings he owns have expressed concerns about how the soup kitchen might affect them.

Officials with Iron Gate are hoping to build a 20,000-square-foot facility that will house food storage and kitchen space, a dining hall and administrative offices. An enclosed courtyard also is part of the plan.

A capital campaign has raised more than $9 million to fund the purchase of the land, construction of the facility and creation of an operating reserve. Construction is expected to cost $3.2 million.

Shane Saunders, chair-elect of the Iron Gate board, referred all calls to the agency’s attorney, Lou Reynolds, who couldn’t be reached for comment.