While many residents and business owners say they're eager to see what a $50 million residential and retail development could do for Squirrel Hill, they're still concerned about parking, traffic and the aesthetics of the massive project planned for the neighborhood's entrance.

Rhonda Galloway, of Magical Hands Massage Therapy, said she hopes the buildings will fit into the neighborhood's eclectic blend of unique buildings and independent stores.

She was one of more than 100 people who listened last night as developers unrolled their vision for Forward Square, proposed on a 150,000-square-foot site at Murray and Forward avenues.

Dozens of residents told developers they're concerned that the project could disrupt traffic in the area near the Parkway East and questioned the future of some organizations that rely on buildings that will be razed.

In addition to the Squirrel Hill Theater, several other businesses and the Gay and Lesbian Community Center will be torn down. Representatives from the community center said they still don't know where their group and other nonprofits that use the facility will locate.

"We're just hoping the developer has some funding to help us with relocation," said the center's chair, Rick Allison. "We're hopeful that they'll help us."

Other residents said they hope the development will have some curb appeal.

"If you look at it as an entrance to the community of Squirrel Hill, it would be nice if it was a building that is aesthetically pleasing," resident Dan Wiseman said.

Last night's meeting at the Jewish Community Center's Levinson Hall is one of several public forums developers R.E. Crawford and Cambridge Venture Partners plans to hold to seek input.