A large crowd attended a special ceremony Monday celebrating completion of the first phase of construction at Jackson Square Apartments in Rockmart.

Commissioner Mike Beatty, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, keynote speaker, emphasized that the event was not about him but the families who will live in the complex.

He reminded that people working together gets things accomplished.

“I am here today — on behalf of Governor Nathan Deal — to say that I am proud of you and what you have done,” he said. “Let’s continue to get our minds off ourselves and focus on the people we serve.”

Doug Braden, assistant director of technical services, introduced Beatty and other speakers. They included Mayor Steve Miller, former Mayor Curtis Lewis and Sandra D. Hudson, executive director, Northwest Georgia Housing Authority.

Lewis recalled his years in office during the 1970s when he first noticed the houses on Jackson Street.

Although the narrow street was repaved, Lewis did not forget the need for redevelopment in the area. During his last term as Rockmart’s mayor, he also served on the Coosa Valley Regional Planning Commission’s board of directors.

At that time, Neighborhood Stabilization money was made available.

“I was one of the first to ask for these funds,” he said. “You can now see the results of the collaboration between Rockmart, Northwest Georgia Housing Authority and DCA.”

Miller also recognized the cooperative spirit between the City and Authority.

“It is wonderful to see the transformation of this area to a housing development that everyone can enjoy,” he said. “We have seen public housing transformed here.”

Hudson recognized the support she has received from the Authority’s board of directors. “We don’t want any more housing projects,” she said. “Our residents are very excited to live in these apartments.”

The project includes 26 apartments. Fifteen were designated Public Housing and replaced 15 of the 150 Charles Hight Homes (demolished units). Six apartments were designated as project-based Choice Voucher Units and five designated as Affordable Housing Units.

The majority of these one and two bedroom units are ground floor apartments with two fully handicap access units provided.

According to information provided, Phase I includes 15 units and infrastructure, which totals about $2,472,084. Phase II includes 11 units and would be built at a cost of $3,485,087.

Budget statistics show that the 26 apartments totaled $2,420,000 with $225,087 designated for land purchase (NSP) and $840,000 infrastructure / additional purchase and relocation.