HARRISONBURG, Va. — Following an additional two-hour work session last night, Harrisonburg City Council has approved the 84-acre Bluestone Town Center by a slim 3-2 vote.

The development is expected to bring over 900 housing units into the area of Garbers Church Road and Erickson Avenue.

An artist’s rendering of the now-approved Bluestone Town Center in Harrisonburg. (Courtesy of Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority)

While mayor Deanna Reed and councilmember Chris Jones both voted ‘no’ on the proposal, fellow members Laura Dent, Dany Fleming and Monica Robinson pushed the project through. The latter voiced a belief that the new construction can live up to its promise of affordable housing in the Friendly City.

Opponents of the plan have cited unsafe traffic increases and an uncertain long-term vision for the massive undertaking.

Bluestone Town Center will erect multi-family and mixed-income housing in the city over the coming decade.