A groundbreaking ceremony last week marks the official start of construction for Bridge Rockaway, a $118-million affordable housing complex in Brooklyn's Brownsville neighborhood.

"Quality affordable homes and good paying jobs are the foundation for successful and thriving communities, and that is what we are delivering to Brownsville with this important investment," said Governor Kathy Hochul in remarks at the ceremony. "Bridge Rockaway is an innovative collaboration between state and nonprofit partners that will bolster our continued efforts to revitalize Central Brooklyn."

Located at 803 Rockaway Avenue, the development will feature 174 affordable apartments - including 87 with supportive services - above 39,000 square feet of ground floor space which is to be leased for light manufacturing uses. The ground-floor space will be separately owned and operated by GreenpointManufacturing and Design Center, while the housing above is to be built by Mega Development and The Bridge.

Bridge Rockway will consist of six- and seven-story buildings, separated by an 11,000-square-foot garden. All apartments are to be reserved as affordable housing, priced for renters earning no more than 70 percent of the area median income. The supportive units will cater to seniors, veterans, and chronically homeless adults, with on-site supportive services to be provided by The Bridge.

Completion of Bridge Rockaway is expected by 2025.