By Paul LaVenture, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – On July 16, the residents of Shrewsbury's Francis Gardens Housing Development celebrated the completion of several infrastructure projects, including sidewalk and parking lot repaving and the installation of new windows. A cookout, attended by local and state officials, was held for the complex's residents.
Dennis Osborn, executive director of the Shrewsbury Housing Authority (SHA), explained that Gov. Deval Patrick and the state legislature had recently appropriated grant monies to the state's Department of Housing and Community Development, which in turn allotted monies to the commonwealth's 240 housing authorities, including the SHA.
“Gov. Patrick is certainly the first governor that has taken this approach to public housing by giving us a budget and renewing source of income so we can continue projects into the future,” Osborn said.
The complex, which was built in 1972, has 100 units, Francis said, all of which are occupied by senior citizens.
“We are always fully occupied,” he added. “There is always a long waiting list.”
The parking lot, sidewalks and windows were all originals, he noted.
“The repaving will make it safer for our residents,” he said. “And the new windows will be much more energy efficient and keep them cooler in summer and warmer in winter.”
Photos/Paul LaVenture
