GLENS FALLS, N.Y. - The new homes, now called the Village Green, are a far cry from what used to stand when the homes were known as the Henry Hudson Townhouses.

"They're a lot nicer inside and outside, and there's a lot more space," Townhouse resident Will McDonald said.

The plan to rebuild the low-income homes here was controversial at first since some in the city wanted the space re-developed for commercial use. But ultimately, plans went through to rebuild.

Residents had been complaining that the decades-old buildings were falling apart and weren't insulated well, meaning their heating costs soared in the winter. Will McDonald just moved in this week, but already he's sees a huge difference.

"We have central air, central heat and everything is controlled by a monitor. It's just so much better and we'll see more of it as time goes on,' he said.

Not only are the new homes better for the people who live there, but the new construction has also been a facelift for the entrance to the city.

"We're working on a lot of projects since we came into office and one was working on this eyesore," said Glens Falls Mayor Roy Akins

"They were working so quick and I think it really paid off," McDonald said.

That pay off being for the hundreds of people who live there who now have a better place to call home.