As 2020 ends, it might be interesting to review some of the events of fifty years ago since many have an impact even today. Housing seemed to dominate the news and the public meeting agendae of 1970. In January, even as the newly built apartments at Cameo Gardens were starting to be occupied, building inspector Calvin Nelson ,”urged the Common Council to come up with a cooperative housing program to alleviate  ‘the severe housing shortage in this City’”. City officials also mentioned the, “definite need for elderly housing”.  In March, 1970, the Windham Planning Commission heard a proposal from the interfaith Willimantic Cooperative Housing Corp. for a 60-unit housing development on Ash Street for persons of moderate income. There were to be 20 two-bedroom units, 32 three-bedroom units and 8 four-bedroom units. The Commission was very open to these plans since, as Commission chairman Raymond Bruce said, “ (T)he housing situation is so critical we are all anxious to see what could be done”. The plan was approved in October, 1970 but immediately faced opposition from local residents. Also in March, Raybo Inc. submitted a plan to build 60 two-bedroom apartments on a 26 acre tract on Plains Road in Windham.

In August, 1970, despite some opposition from those who felt the land could be more profitably sold to a developer, voters approved the sale of 3.78 acres of town land to the Willimantic Housing Authority for an elderly housing project. There were hopes that ground would be broken by Spring, 1971 and that the finished apartment building would be nine stories high. However, problems with zoning, finances and HUD regulations led first to the building being modified to seven stories. The plans finally met all regulations and were approved in May, 1972. However more problems such as weather, equipment delays, and most spectacularly, the collapse of the sixth floor one-ton balcony caused more delays. On July 19, 1974, residents finally started moving in. In September, 1970, Plans for a 150-unit complex to be known as “Windham Heights” were brought to the Windham Planning Commission. The proposed complex would include nine buildings housing 150 apartments on an approximately ten acre site. The plans were approved at a meeting one month later. What still had to be worked out was the means to supply the complex with water and sewer service. Despite some contentious meetings, a contract for water was approved and the $2.5 million dollar complex was dedicated in July, 1971.Second District Congressman Robert Steele said the complex represented, “an effort of federal, state and local governments to provide high quality housing…”.

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