Despite chilly temperature and drizzle on Thursday morning, over 50 individuals - local dignitaries, town employees and residents alike, gathered outside of the newly-constructed Golden Ridge housing development at 1 Contentment Dr. for the official ribbon cutting ceremony.

Coventry Housing Authority Executive Director Julia Leddy was joined by many honorable guests during the ceremony including Coventry Housing Associates Board President Harold Trafford Jr., Town Council President Gary Cote, Director of RI Division of Elderly Affairs Catherine Taylor, Father Michael Kelly of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Housing Board of Commissioners Chairman Robert DiPadua, representatives from the offices of Sen. Jack Reed, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman Jim Langevin and more.

"Honestly I have just three words to say - packed with emotion," said Leddy while beginning the ceremony. "We did it!"

She described the long process involved with making the Golden Ridge project a reality and thanked everyone that had made it possible.

"15 years ago I started here at the housing authority and this was a beautiful septic field that we had to mow every year," she joked. "15 months ago, most of us stood here on a big pile of dirt as we broke the ground and today we are looking at new supportive elderly housing at its absolute finest."

Housing Associates Board President Trafford explained that the development was nine years in the making and praised those involved for their hard work and dedication.

"My job today is to thank all of the people responsible for this beautiful building and the grounds," he said. "Particularly Julie Leddy, the best damn executive director on this side of the Mississippi. I hope everyone takes note of the extraordinary dedication and leadership this woman provides to help make Coventry a better place."

After accolades and congratulations were given by other honored guests, Leddy and Trafford together cut the ribbon that crossed the entrance to Golden Ridge, allowing the public to enter and view the development for the first time.

"We had the opportunity today to take 34 families off of our waiting list and provide them with a decent, safe place to call home, and I can honestly tell you that it does not get any better than that," said Leddy.