A proposed apartment building near an existing Detroit riverfront property has stirred a debate about development in a city with a shortage of downtown rental space.

Arkan Jonna is the developer of the proposed Harbortown Riverside Apartments, a five-story riverfront apartment building within the existing Harbortown complex. The 135- to 145-unit apartment building will be built on land that was earmarked for further development, but some residents complain that the aesthetics and rental nature of the development will diminish property values already decimated during the housing crisis.

"My impression of the proposed construction in Harbortown is it is ugly, unsightly at best," said Harbortown resident Catherine Nierle, president of the Great Lakes Tower Condominium Association.

"The footprint of the building, the low-quality building materials, the overall design of the building surrounded by 250-plus surface parking spaces and the elimination of green space are completely out of harmony with the existing community and structures in Harbortown and along the RiverWalk."