Sugar House residents, once full of vigor and vitriol over the redevelopment of the beloved Granite Block, may finally feel punch drunk.

At least it appeared that way when they showed up en masse last week for a Planning Commission public hearing on the controversial plan.

One after another - young business owner to retired condo-dweller - they took to the microphone to judge the gentrification. Many complained about the all-too-certain traffic congestion. Yet most praised the project.

"I was going to wear a flak jacket tonight," Commissioner Babs De Lay told the crowd, which leaked into the hallway. "I was kind of surprised at how the community was kind of in favor of this."

The hearing marked the commission's initial crack at developers Craig Mecham and Eric Nelson, who hope to transform the once-funky haven for boutiques into a mix of offices, formula shops and high-end condos.

For more than a year, residents had railed against the makeover, arguing it will ruin the character and ambiance of one of the city's long-thriving districts. Critics especially focused their ire on the six-story office tower and neighboring six-story condo building, which include brick facades with considerable glass.

But the crowd changed its tune at the hearing.

"Both projects are well-con- ceived," said John Gardiner, who owns commercial properties in the neighborhood. "They'll help revitalize the area."

Barbara Green, a lifelong Sugar House resident, argued the change will bring even more energy to the popular stretch. "The condos will put more people on the street," she said. "And the restaurants will provide sidewalk eating."

There were some critics, but they were outnumbered.

Susan Petheram insisted that tearing down the old buildings dishonors the tradition of Sugar House. "People from Draper don't drive to Sugar House to hang out at the Shopko parking lot," she said. "They come for the character."

Several residents said they were leery of the project, but now are convinced it will be a boon.

A business owner on the block said all he sees now are ugly buildings, while a contractor told the commission that the existing structures are "not safe."

Speaking on behalf of the nearby Zions Bank branch, Mike Hansen gave his nod for the overhaul.

Even so, traffic was on everybody's mind.

The developers plan to put 500 parking stalls into two underground levels. The blueprint also calls for an entrance to the office tower near the Sugar House monument on 2100 South.

Nearby residents fear the crush of new cars will spill into their neighborhoods. Derek Payne, who lives a block away, called the coming traffic ''a freight train.'' Others said they already are fearful to cross the street and expect it will get worse.

In response, the Planning Commission called for the quick completion of a traffic study. And multiple members argued the best solution is to incorporate public transit.

"I'd like to kick UTA in the pants and tell them to get with the program," Commissioner Prescott Muir admonished.

Transportation planners are looking to take an electric trolley along an existing rail route from the Central Pointe TRAX station to Highland Drive. But funding solutions and final approval remain nebulous.

While few residents took on the developers, the commission ably filled in.

De Lay criticized Mecham for waffling on a green-building design. Mecham said he has not yet determined whether to go for a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rank- ing.

By contrast, Nelson, who represents Red Mountain Retail Group, said his builders intend to get the LEED certification.

"If you're working as a team, why is one project green and the other project is not?" De Lay asked.

Other planners slammed the project for looking "too suburban."

And the commission was not pleased to hear Mecham suggest he wanted cursory approval before providing architectural renderings. Mecham complained about the expense, but the commissioners insisted they need the specs before they can make any decisions.

In defense, Mecham insisted the project will strengthen the neighborhood's 24-7 environment, reduce crime and graffiti and boost property values.

"This is not another Gateway," Mecham said. "It's not even another Cottonwood Mall."

Echoed Nelson: "We're not a sprawl developer."

If the project gets a green light, work could begin by year's end. The overall construction timeline sits between a year and two years.

A lingering sore point also went unanswered at the hearing: Will Mecham and Co. allow the area retailers - perhaps with a subsidy - to return?

Mecham said he may OK a "small" subsidy, but he expects rents to rise. He also said he has multiple letters of intent from retailers, but refused to name them.

That didn't sit well with resident Cindy Burr. "I'm not opposed to redevelopment," she said. "I just don't want it to price everybody out."

djensen@sltrib.com

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* LESLEY MITCHELL contributed to this report.

On the drawing board

Nearly an entire block from McClelland Street (1040 East) to Highland Drive (approximately 1100 East), and 2100 South to Sugarmont Drive (2225 South) may be redeveloped in coming years by two separate companies, which want to add offices, residences and retail shops.

* DEVELOPER CRAIG MECHAM proposes a project that fronts mainly Highland Drive from 2100 South to about 2150 South. If that project goes well, he may extend development as far south as 2198 South.

* RED MOUNTAIN RETAIL GROUP will rehab the Granite Furniture Complex on the other side of the block fronting mainly McClelland Street, from 2100 South to Sugarmont Drive, adding primarily retail space and lofts.