New Haven Independent

Lopez is one of the first batch of tenants to move into the new Q Terrace — an uplifting, colorful array of wood-framed houses that totally transform the Fair Haven public housing complex known as QT. She joined city officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday.

She lived for seven years in the old QT (pictured). She tells of “drugs and gunshots — my kids couldn’t go outside.” That complex, mostly boarded up now, is being torn down as part of a $20 million project. Funded by the federal HOPE VI program, the grungy, dense 244-unit complex will be replaced with a 200-unit combination of public housing rentals and owner-occupied houses.

Lopez’ new home is a two-story, three-bedroom apartment in a row of wood-framed houses. “It’s like a mansion for me,” she said, walking through the sparsely furnished rooms. It has air conditioning, a washer and dryer, and two bathrooms. When her kids first moved in, they were running up and down the stairs in glee, marveling at the space. And it feels safer: There’s a front-door alarm and a quiet yard where her three children can play.

Friday marked the culmination of phase one of the project — 81 units. Phase two, when the rest of the old QT will be demolished, will begin in September 2006, officials said.

Suddenly, Q Terrace has gone from a place to flee to a highly desirable place to live. “They’re real nice; I’d love to get in one,” said passerby Rickey Greene (pictured at right). He, as well as Debra and Divonne Coward (pictured, from left), moved out of the old Q Terrace in recent years. If they had stayed, they would have been high on the waiting list to get into the new Q Terrace. “I wish I could pull some strings,” said Greene.