BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — Business owners in Boynton Beach opposed to a new development are banding together to create a better downtown.
Developers are looking to transform the area near Federal Highway and Ocean Avenue.
Nearby business owners said this area is a prime spot for something new.
"Just putting up another eight-story building, I still don't think is the answer," said Hurricane Alley owner Kim Kelly, who opposes the project.
Kelly said the project called Legacy at Boynton Beach would add nearly 300 apartments in an eight-story building across the street from her business.
She didn't like the idea when it was proposed and rallied others to help create a new vision for downtown Boynton Beach called the Downtown Business Coalition.
The group contains local business owners communicating about what development would work.
Len and Angel Jones joined the coalition and owns two shops that would sit right next to the development.
Len Jones said the coalition is trying to get ahead of the projects and get the city to listen to them.
Commissioner Christina Romelus said she is listening to the group and thinks the Downtown Business Coalition is what the city needs.
"This is a good time to hear the collective voices from the business community," Romelus said. "The voice of many is always, always much better than the voice of one."
Kelly said she is hoping they can find other options beyond Legacy at Boynton Beach.
"Let's form a real plan that's going to work for the community and residents of Boynton Beach," Kelly said.
The Boynton Beach Commission will be discussing the project Tuesday during their commission meeting that starts at 6 p.m.
