SAN BERNARDINO – (INT) – One developer has stepped up to the plate doing something about the city’s lack of quality, moderately-priced housing.

Ground was broken Wednesday for the on-site phase of the Waterman Gardens redevelopment.

The reincarnation of a once-troubled complex is a $200 million investment in San Bernardino, replacing a World War II-era public housing project with a modern senior housing community.

The project is being advertised as an economic catalyst for the neighborhood and the city, generating more than $81 million in economic activity during the construction phase and millions more per year in ongoing economic benefits.

Wednesday’s groundbreaking came as work is winding down on the 76-unit Valencia Vista workforce housing community at Valencia Avenue and 9th Street, adjacent to the existing Waterman Gardens site. Valencia Vista, which is expected to open this fall, was designed in part to help ease the transition for residents of Waterman Gardens as demolition begins.

The overall Waterman Gardens plan calls for 411 new housing units, including the replacement of the 252 existing affordable units.

Story Date: July 4, 2016