Vincent Love witnessed the creation of I-81 about 60 years ago. He lived and breathed it.

"I just remember the disruption to the neighborhood," said Love.

He grew up in Pioneer Homes, a public housing complex near the Interstate.

"Growing up, there used to be easy access to Syracuse University,” said Love. “We would walk through a path right up there and play basketball up at the women’s gym. When 81 went up, that went away."

Love wants to ensure history doesn't repeat itself, as the New York State Department of Transportation discusses the future of 81.

"There's going to be noise,” said Love. “There's going to be dust. I have concerns for the residents, and hopefully they can get through the phases of this project as unscathed as possible."

"We have people who live within feet of the highway who are looking at possibly having a construction just outside their door or bedroom windows for years," said Sally Santangelo, the CNY Fair Housing executive director.

Santangelo also says there's a lack of affordable housing in the area.

"We should look at this as an opportunity to address the concentration of poverty, address the quality of housing that needs to be improved in our community and give people access to better housing choices,” said Santangelo.

They're also concerned about access to health care, transportation, and jobs. Officials haven't finalized the project yet, but Love has some specific hopes.

"That the residents will have a viable, healthy, vibrant neighborhood where everyone has opportunities to the same resources,” said Love.

This was the second meeting of a three-part series of presentations on I-81. The next one will focus on eminent domain. It will be held at the CNY Philanthropy Center on December 4.