The Anfield redevelopment project "reached another milestone on Thursday after the demolition of the final two houses on one side of the ground," according to Charles Martlandof the London DAILY MAIL. The buildings on Lothair Road, situated behind the main stand of Liverpool's 46,000 capacity ground, "were brought down by bulldozers to mark the completion of another phase of the project." Liverpool City Council, in conjunction with the football club, aims "to redevelop and regenerate the community around Anfield by mid-2016." The £260M ($439M) project "aims to create refurbished or new housing, a multi-use park space and greater numbers of commercial and retail premises." Crucial to the project "is the expansion of the stadium, which will see Liverpool play in front of almost 60,000 fans" from the start of the '16-17 season. The development remains controversial, "even if it has received the endorsement of the vast majority of residents and officials." Some residents "remain uncertain as to what benefit they will get from the project and are disappointed by the lack of communication they have received from the council throughout the demolition process." The football club "will benefit from a greatly increased capacity" (DAILY MAIL, 7/31).
