NORWICH – Ten years ago, the property where the former Brown Avenue Bowling alley and bakery once sat was purchased by the Norwich Housing Authority for a construction project. Although the project has seen many delays and setbacks, construction of the first unit has finally begun.

The housing project was originally intended to provide affordable home-ownership opportunities for seniors. The plans called for the construction of six duplex structures, each to be single-story dwellings with a total size of roughly 1,100 square feet.

After receiving bids for the construction of the units, the Norwich Housing Authority determined the cost to construct all six duplex structures at once was simply too high. In January, they received a bridge loan from the City of Norwich and decided to move forward with construction, one structure at a time.