Instead of golden shovels, golden sledge hammers were the tool of choice Thursday to celebrate the upcoming demolition of some public housing in Rock Island. Community Home Partners, a subsidiary of the Rock Island Housing Authority, will tear down Lincoln Homes, with 42 apartments, and replace them with 46 duplexes and single family homes.
Community Home Partners CEO, Susan Anderson, says the complex first opened in 1953.
"We're here today to say good-bye to Lincoln Homes. Lincoln Homes has been a home to over one thousand families. So Lincoln Homes has served our community well."
Several former residents of Lincoln Homes turned out for the demolition celebration, including Troy Hickman who lived in one of the apartments for 11 years, as a teenager and young adult.
"Everybody knew each other around here, so that was the best thing about it. Me and my mom and my siblings stayed here - our building was right there - and I loved this place, a great place to live at. "
Anderson says demolition should be completed early next year, so construction can begin in the spring. The new, 13 million dollar Lincoln Residences should open in 2021.
