A Charlotte-based developer is eyeing a $70 million project on the current site of a downtown Greenville community center. SunCap Property Group has plans to move forward with 250 apartments, more than 15,000 square feet for retail space and a parking garage along roughly three acres of land across from Fluor Field. “We really wanted to create a project that really supported and continued what’s so great about the West End,” said David Lee, senior vice president of SunCap Property Group. “We, quite frankly, consider this to be the best site in Greenville.” Lee said he’s working to ensure the space would be pedestrian-friendly and would bring foot traffic to that section of the West End. Right now, half an acre is owned by a real estate company. The rest belongs to Allen Temple AME Church, including the West End Community Development Center. An agreement for the property is under contract, said Lee. Records show the property owned by the church is worth $2.3 million. “We started with the neighbors early and we made them feel like part of the project and we wouldn’t want to do it any other way,” Lee said. Lee said he’s been in close contact with the church’s pastor, the Rev. James Speed. “They’ve never had any conversation with me about this project,” said Fletcher Smith, a member of Allen Temple AME. Smith said he’s concerned about how the absence of that center would affect the community. “The Black church is the foundation of the Black community and when you take the Black church out of the mix, you destroy the Black community,” he said. The building is also a popular campaign venue for Democrats. The center has hosted rallies for numerous presidential candidates in recent years. The center is also a local polling location. “We feel like not only is it losing an icon, losing a place where people know they can find comfort, but also hear some great political news,” said Greenville County Democratic Chairman Eli Valentin. It would be supplanted by something that’s not functioning and serving the people we need to serve in Greenville.” The city’s design review board looked at an application for the proposed development Thursday afternoon. WYFF News 4 reached out to Rev. Speed Thursday morning, but have not heard back as of 5 p.m. Thursday.