TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) - Tuscaloosa' oldest public housing authority, Rosedale, has finally broken ground for the second time.  Tuscaloosa Housing Authority employees say plans to revitalize the community have been in the works for five to six years.  Ralph Ruggs with THA says they had made requests for Hope 6 funding that had not been met.  The housing authority had also submitted some applications for funding that were pending when the April 27th storms hit.

Rosedale took a direct hit on April 27th, with nearly 100 units completely destroyed and numerous fatalities.  Now seven months later, the community is already breaking ground on a three phase project.  THA employees say while the tornado had some devastating consequences, it also accelerated their plans for revitalization.  Millions of dollars have now been pledged to build the first phase of the project, which begins on Tuesday.  The first phase will include 88 brand new units.  Ruggs says by the end of the first two phases, sometime in 2014, Rosedale will host 255 new units.  That number of units is, however, less than the number originally housed at Rosedale.  Ruggs explains that the third phase of the project will also include 100 to 105 senior midrise buildings.