MARQUETTE -- Circuit Judge Thomas Solka has ruled in favor of the long debated addition to the Marquette Citadel. Solka affirmed the City of Marquette Board of Zoning Appeal's decision to go ahead with the project in a 21 page written ruling.

It looks like plans for the Citadel's construction are about to get underway.

Judge Solka ruled that the decision was always up to the board and that they used proper procedure to come to a conclusion. With the Judge's ruling, he also lifted the stay of the project's construction and said that a zoning compliance permit may be issued. But one side's victory is another side's loss, and many neighbors to the proposed project are frustrated. After a long, heated court battle, Mary and Philip Schneeberger have lost their case against the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The board had overturned the planning commission, allowing an expansion of the Citadel building; a six story high rise that would block the Schneeberger's view of Lake Superior and ultimately, they say, decrease the value of their home.

This morning the couple's attorney told us:

"We're disappointed in the decision and we're looking into it...there are further steps you can take, and whether we will or not has not been determined."

But the Schneebergers are not alone. Many other East Side residents are concerned with the new high rise that will soon be erected in their neighborhood.

"It just doesn't belong there," said Ridge St. resident, Jay Stewart. "It is a six story building and it's shoe-horned in, and it's frankly, I think it's a minimum cost building."

"My major concern would be removal of the green space," said another Ridge St. resident, Maggie Barch. "The other major concern would be the addition of more traffic there. My children and I walk past here every day and just another area where I have to be worried about them crossing the parking lot with all those cars coming in and out is not exciting."

But not all are opposed to the new construction, some welcome its opportunity.

"It's progress, it'd be good for the community," said Karl Werner Jr., a resident at Pine Ridge Apartments. "It will be jobs for the people that build the building and I don't have a problem with it."

As for the City, their attorney said he had complete confidence in the strength of the City's position in every action taken in this case, and in the integrity and professionalism of the Marquette Zoning Board. But he too agrees; the case is not over yet, as the Schneeberger's can still take further action.

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The judge has ruled that developers may go ahead with their plans to add a new controversial, six story building to the historic Citadel in downtown Marquette.

Local residents had been trying to block construction of the project.

In a lengthy written ruling, Circuit Court Judge Thomas Solka affirmed the City of Marquette Board of Zoning Appeal's decision.

The board had overturned the Planning Commission, allowing an expansion of the Citadel building.

With his ruling, Judge Solka lifted the stay of construction and said that a zoning compliance permit may be issued.

The proposed building aroused controversy because it'll be located adjacent to an historic residential area of Marquette, as well as the downtown.  Critics had claimed that the new building had no architectural merit and didn't fit in with the rest of the neighborhood.  Supporters say it's in keeping with the overall plan to bring more residences downtown.

Dan Mead, the attorney for the plaintiffs in the case, who were trying to stop construction of the building, was disappointed in the decision.

"We're looking into it," said Mead.  "There are further steps that we can take.  Whether we will or not has not been determined."

You can read the entire Citadel decision document here.