The Atlanta Downtown Neighborhood Association today sent a formal demand letter to the city of Atlanta demanding it halt the sale of Underground Atlanta to a developer or face a lawsuit.

Residents are objecting to the city’s decision to abandon portions of lower and upper Alabama Street, Upper and Lower Pryor Street and Plaza Way to accommodate the multi-million dollar mixed-use project. The streets are being turned over to WRS Real Estate Investments and its affiliated company, WLA Enterprises.

The Neighborhood Association accuses the city of violating the Urban Redevelopment Act and a redevelopment plan the city adopted for the property.

In the letter, the Neighborhood Association requests that the city revoke and rescind the ordinance transferring the property and give the public a chance to comment on the matter. It also requests that the city, “Temporarily, and immediately suspend the sale of Underground to WLA.”

“Please note that unless we receive notice from your office that the City will comply with the demands set forth herein within five (5) days of your receipt of this correspondence, my clients will pursue legal action, including the filing of a lawsuit to seek injunctive relief  regarding the same,” the letter says.

Here is the full letter:

2017.1.5 – Demand Ltr to City of Atlanta

Decaturish has reached out to Mayor Kasim Reed seeking comment and will update this story when he responds. Reed has defended the abandonment of the streets, saying it is necessary to move the redevelopment of Underground Atlanta forward.

Recently the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that the sale had been delayed.