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Phase One of revitalization now complete at Liberty Gardens in Rome

By HILARY LANE

Story Created: Aug 20, 2012 at 12:17 PM EDT

Story Updated: Aug 20, 2012 at 1:08 PM EDT

ROME, N.Y. (WKTV) - Local officials, residents, and tenants gathered at Liberty Gardens in the City of Rome on Monday to celebrate the completion of the Phase One revitalization project.

The affordable housing development's $13.4 million project consisted of the construction of three new buildings and a complete gut renovation, including demolition from interior to studs of an additional building.

As of now, 78 units are ready for tenants.

Phase Two will begin in September and will consist of renovating three more existing buildings to create 50 additional units.

"We are optimistic that taking this old obsolete project that was potentially a blighting influence and recreating it as new, sound, attractive housing will be a stimulus for other new housing projects in the neighborhood," said Duncan Barrett, COO of Omni Housing Development.

This project, which is a partnership between the Rome Housing Authority and Omni Housing Development, is the first revitalization effort at Liberty Gardens since 1952.

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