A sprawling IKEA furniture store is under construction in Red Hook after years of delays and controversy.

Dorothy Shield, who leads a local tenants' association, has been a vocal advocate of the project. Shields said she's happy to see progress at the site, with the blue walls going up on for the 346,000-square-foot store.

"We have so many people that would like to be working and are not working," Shields said. "I can't wait to cut the ribbon."

While Shields is sold on the store, other residents remain unconvinced.

"Why do we need a furniture company from Sweden taking the profit out of Brooklyn to Sweden," said Jeffrey Heehs. "We got plenty of people that are good at making furniture right here."

Construction is scheduled to be finished by the summer of 2008.