Belvidere celebrates $11 million in affordable housing upgrade

Renovations on an affordable housing senior-living facility in Belvidere are now complete.

A former school, Pearl Place, 520 Pearl St., in Belvidere, is now a 56-unit living community for residents 55 and older earning up to 60% of the area median income. Renovations included a new roof, upgrades to existing units and the addition of more adequately accessible one- and two-bedroom residences.

"The work we do is for the residents who are able to call Pearl Place home, who need places to live, including veterans," said Ron Clewer, market president for Gorman & Company, the Wisconsin developer that completed the project in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Boone County Housing Authority, and the Winnebago County Housing Authority.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth was at the facility April 12 to show her support for the project. A veteran who lost both of her legs in combat, Duckworth said she's happy that Pearl Place has opened its doors to those who also served our country.

"I am so pleased to see that here at Pearl Place," Duckworth said during a grand opening ceremony. "The reality is that housing costs are too expensive for working families all across the country. And while I’m doing what I can at the federal level, we need leaders like the team behind Pearl Place willing to step up and make a commitment to affordable housing options, with the support of local and state government, in our towns and neighborhoods everywhere across our state and country.”

Pearl Place was built in 1893 as Garfield School. Belvidere High School was added to the campus in 1916, followed by a project in 1939 that added an auditorium and gymnasium.

The $11 million renovation started last year.

Jim Hagerty writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for the Rockford Register Star. Email him at jhagerty@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Belvidere celebrates $11 million in affordable housing upgrade