SLIPPERY ROCK — Despite public outcry at Tuesday's meeting, council members voted to approve the lowest of the three bids received for the Gateway Project.

The first phase of the Gateway Project was to demolish the old First National Bank building on South Main Street, followed by the paving of new parking spaces where the building stood.

Regina Greenwald, council president, said she felt a bit relieved, and is confident that she is satisfying those she has heard voice support for the project.

“We have worked diligently with experts,” she said. “I think it would be despicable on our part to not move forward.”

Those in attendance at Tuesday's meeting did not agree.

A mixture of citizens, incoming council members, and the mayor-elect spoke against the advancement of the project. Directly before the bid discussion, at least six people spoke in opposition to the project's advancement.

Gene Allison, an incoming council member, reiterated ideas discussed in a letter he delivered to the borough on Monday in regard to slowing down decisions regarding the final phase. He said he would like the opportunity for incoming council to discuss the extra items.

“Why can't we slow down long enough to address that,” Allison said. “I would much rather work with you than against you.”