(May 4, 2005) — More than a year ago, construction crews mowed down the Kennedy and Olean townhouses — some of the oldest public housing in Rochester — to make way for new single and multifamily homes.

The land has sat vacant ever since, as the Rochester Housing Authority tried to raise enough cash to start building and then struggled with labor costs.

But those issues are behind them, and financial backers and developers converged on the site in the Plymouth-Exchange neighborhood Tuesday morning to break ground for the $28 million housing project.

The first phase — about $12 million worth — involves building 28 housing units where the Kennedy townhouses once stood off South Plymouth Avenue and another 39 on sites scattered throughout the neighborhood. The total project involves renovating Kennedy Tower, an 80-unit high-rise, and constructing another 77 housing units where the Olean townhouses were along Ford Street.

The overall goal is to supplant some of the city's most obsolete public housing with new houses, duplexes, triples and more green space — and to integrate public housing with affordable housing units. Along with the housing projects, the city is rebuilding South Plymouth Avenue and working on its nearby Brooks Landing project.

"Our dream is coming true," Dorothy Hall, president of the Plymouth-Exchange Neighborhood Association, said about all the work in the area.

The housing project is an effort of many partners, including the Rochester Housing Authority, Providence Housing Development Corp., Rochester's Cornerstone Group, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, city of Rochester, New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, and Rochester Equity Fund.

"It's remarkable and a good sign that so many groups are collaborating for the common good," Bishop Matthew Clark said. Providence Housing is an affiliate of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester.

The work on the Kennedy phase of the project is expected to begin this summer and be completed in 12 to 14 months. The Olean phase will likely begin this fall.

"We cannot forget that we owe an obligation to improve the living conditions of our poorer citizens," said Mayor William A. Johnson Jr.

RARMON@DemocratandChronicle.com