The Grove: Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The Grove: Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On a beautiful, sunny, early fall morning, more than 175 people from our community joined together on September 28, 2017 for the official Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Grove, at Keith Creek.

What an awesome celebration it was! Special thanks to Master of Ceremony, Andre Blakley, Illinois Market President of Gorman & Company, and Father Beauvais who provided the Invocation. Thanks to the many presenters, for your all your kind words and support; Ron Clewer, Former CEO, RHA; Jerry Lumpkins, Chairman of the Board, RHA Housing Commissioner; Tom McNamara, Rockford, Il, Mayor; Andy DeCoux, Director of Multifamily Finance, IHDA; Antonio Riley, Former Regional Administrator Region V – The Midwest Chicago Regional Office U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and Larry Williams, CEO, RHA.

The Grove at Keith Creek is the new, multi-family residential community with 49 apartment homes set on a six -acre landscaped campus, which is the New Blueprint for Affordable Housing in Rockford.

The community was able to tour the grounds and view the one and two-story town-home/duplex style buildings, designed in traditional colonial and craftsman style to enhance and compliment the surrounding neighborhood.

The community center was designed to provide the stage for educational and cultural programming, along with a state of the art computer lab for the residents. The children’s playground was a highlight and garden plots are set for spring planting which are also located on the six-acre site.

Gorman & Company in conjunction with the Rockford Housing Authority and Bridge Rockford is proud to share this short video documenting the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. This Affordable Housing plan is the initial component of a five-year master-plan to transform conventional public housing in Rockford, IL.

The Grove at Keith Creek is a public/private partnership developed by Gorman & Company with Bridge Rockford Alliance, a nonprofit subsidiary of the Rockford Housing Authority, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), Boston Capital and Citibank.

Gorman & Company is partnering with the Rockford Housing Authority (RHA) to replace and revision 385 existing units of public housing at scattered sites, incorporating fresh architectural solutions, social and educational support and a strong homeowner component for the community. “A great community starts with a commitment to being a great neighbor”, stated Andre Blakely, Illinois Market President, Gorman & Company, Inc.

Extraordinary thanks to all guests and event speakers, as well as the staff of all the vested organizations who provided this dedication event for our community. “This marks the beginning of the next chapter of housing in the Rockford community, stated Larry Williams CEO of RHA. “This Affordable Housing plan gives our residents new opportunities as well as the capability to expand our services as needed, in the years to come for our community residents.”

Event photos are also available to view in a complete album, please click here.