A housing development in Lafayette is getting statewide recognition.
Chatham Square received the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing and Community Development.
The honor was given at the Annual Statewide Conference on Housing and Community Economic Development.
The city bought the property in 2009 and tore down a high-crime apartment complex.
It replaced that with 89-rental units and ten owner occupied homes.
Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski says the turnaround is due to a collective effort.
“I think it shows that we can get things done," he said. "Working together we have the ability to identify problems and take corrective action to try to solve those problems to improve the quality of life for people in our neighborhood and our community.”
The development is located on a 19-acre site at Greenbush and Shenendoah.
More than $19-million was invested in the project.
Roswarski says the changes to the area have affected the whole city.
“Even in surrounding neighborhoods people will tell you that it's quieter, that there is less crime, that they are more comfortable walking from their neighborhood through there," he said. "I think it has affected a large piece of Lafayette.”