Bridgeport’s Father Panik Village was once called “a criminal's paradise.”

But on Friday, Gov. Ned Lamont cut the ribbon on the newest phase of modern, affordable apartment to replace it.

The opening of Phase 3 of Crescent Crossings capped off a decadeslong effort to redevelop the notorious site.

“A lot of meetings,” said Denese Taylor-Moye, with the Marina Village Resident Association. “A lot of talking to the residents.”

Father Panik Village was so dangerous that national media called it the “face of drugs, decay and death.”

The city demolished it between 1986 and 1994, but it wasn’t replaced until eight years ago. Five thousand people were crammed into crumbling high rises.

Now, Father Paink Village has been replaced with 263 modern apartments – with a final phase set to begin construction soon. Most rents are well below market rate.

“This project is deeply meaningful to us at Park City Communities – not just because of what it represents today, but because of where it began,” said Park City Communities CEO Jillian Baldwin.

Bridgeport is racing to build housing. Developers are converting the old Holiday Inn downtown into 100 new units.

“I was saying, ‘You know, I'm putting a lot of money here in Bridgeport,” said Connecticut housing commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno. “We have about $80 million and more than 8,000 units.”

But for those who live there, it’s about a fresh start.

“You’ve got a decent place to live, and that's what's important,” said Taylor-Moye. “It’s self-esteem. It’s empowerment.”