UTICA, N.Y. -- "I mean, you're talking close to probably 60 phone calls just in the past four or five days," said Utica Common Councilwoman Samantha Colosimo-Testa of the response she's gotten from city residents over the possible sale of 201 Leland Avenue.

The overgrown, fenced-off piece of property at 201 Leland Avenue could soon be owned by Riccelli Northern LLC, but not if some city residents can help it.

"It's upsetting as a North Utica resident to think that, in the solace of my backyard, I'll probably now be smelling asphalt," said Utica Fire Chief Russell Brooks.

Many met Tuesday, expressing their concerns and frustration over the idea of having the plant in Utica.

"They pave streets. It smells like that for a while, but to have it every day, all day, all night, being manufactured, shipped out all over the area, people in this area just aren't going to tolerate it," said city resident Ron Vincent.

"I just can't understand how we can be talking about building a corridor for North Utica, and Harbor Point development, and talk about walkways, and talk about development and wanting people to be able to walk around and go shopping and go to restaurants, and walk to the Marina ... and then we want to have asphalt trucks at the red lights?" asked  Sam Tornatore, the owner of Babe's Macaroni Grill and Bar.

Near 201 Leland Avenue is Aquavino, which is where community members gathered. The restaurant features outdoor dining, something the owner feels could be affected by the plant.

"I mean, do you think Aquavino wants to go somewhere else? We love it here," said Beverly Esche, the owner/manager of Aquavino. "We love the canal. We love the city. We love our customers.

"Could we relocate? That's always a possibilty. You know, that's always a possibility. But do we want to? The answer is no."

Next to the site, there's also Roser Communications.

"Their remediation effort was to plant trees, which in and of itself seems almost silly, along with the whole concept of putting something like this next to a waterway," ProMedia President Kenneth Roser, Jr. said.

Community members are invited to attend the city's common council meeting Wednesday and make their voices heard. We reached out to Centro, which is also located next to the site, and they were not able to comment.

The sale of the property is expected to be voted on at Wednesday's meeting. Members of Riccelli Northern LLC could not be reached for comment.