People who live near a new $18 million development under construction near the banks of the Mississippi River fear it will force them out of the neighborhood. I...

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – People who live near a new $18 million development under construction near the banks of the Mississippi River fear it will force them out of the neighborhood. It’s the historic French Fort community just south of downtown near the Metal Museum.

Construction is underway to turn an old, abandoned Marine hospital into apartments. Longtime French Fort residents fear it’s just the first step in forcing them out. The French Fort community includes about 150 homes. Some residents have lived there since the 60s, and they worry this new project could lead to gentrification of the neighborhood.

“French Fort is the hidden gem; we call it the ‘neighborhood on the bluff,’” said Daryl Lewis, who opposes project.

Many residents have lived here for decades. Homes often are passed down from one generation to another. Many fear the apartment project will change the community and that longtime residents will be pushed out.

“I’m just hoping it doesn’t turn into a gentrification type of deal,” said concerned resident Clyde Warren.

“I understand gentrification, but this has nothing to do with gentrification,” said Lauren Crews, the developer of the project.

Crews doesn’t believe the neighborhood concerns are valid. Crews says he is trying to improve the neighborhood by restoring an abandoned and blighted piece of property that has sat empty for decades.

“I’m dumbfounded to why they have concerns,” said Crews.

“You cannot take the sanctity and security of what is here and open it up and make it not what we are used to and to do that is a travesty,” said Lewis.