Ribbon-cutting gives town another affordable housing development

June 21, 2012

Co-workers applaud as Coventry Housing Associates Director Julie Leddy (back to camera) sees that the community hall at Coventry's Coventry Meadows housing development has been named in her honor yesterday morning. Jessica Boisclair. Kent County Daily Times.

COVENTRY — Members of the Coventry Housing Associates, the state and the community gathered Wednesday morning to celebrate the grand opening of Coventry Meadows, the town’s newest affordable housing development.

Executive Director of the Coventry Housing Associates Julie Leddy explained that the new development provides 44 units to new residents; all units have been rented out already.

Coventry Meadows, whose entrance is located on Edith Street, off of Arnold Road, also includes a Community Hall. Inside the hall will include four housing units, a small kitchen, laundry room and hall that residents can host parties in.

The 44 family units will either have one, two or three bedrooms, with a private entrance to get into the unit.

Each resident has their own parking spot directly in front of their unit with a separate patio on either the front or the side.

Coventry Meadows also provides units for the elderly or disabled residents.

Leddy explained that Stand Corporation was the general contractors for the development along with architect John Robinson of Robinson Design Inc.

She recognized various programs and funds who helped the Coventry Housing Associates receive monies for the development including: Rhode Island Housing, the Low Income Tax Credit program, BuildingHome Rhode Island, the Housing Resource Commission, HOME funds and the Community Development Block Grant funds.

“We were able to put many Rhode Islanders to work during the construction,” she said. “Approximately $1 million was put into our local economy.”

Senator Glen Shibley (District 33) thanked the crowd for attending the ribbon cutting ceremony.

He said he was there in 2009 when the idea of Coventry Meadows was in the works.

“I want the new Coventry residents to know that we have an excellent police and fire department and school services,” he said. “This is a great town to live in; we are happy that we have new residents.”

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