It isn't often that the small borough of Claysville along Interstate 70 gets exciting news, but it's been chock full of it lately.

Two years ago, the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington built a new, 24-unit senior housing development at the site of the former Claysville Hotel, and this summer, the authority undertook a major renovation of the Claysville Senior Citizens Center.

Last week, the borough got more good news when the Redevelopment Authority broke ground on a $1.2 million townhouse development aimed at families with moderate income.

In all, the county has invested more than $5 million in the borough in recent years -- or about $7,000 per person, toward community development.

The 19 new townhouses were a result of the success of the senior housing development and lobbying by county Commissioner Chairman Larry Maggi, who grew up in the borough.

"They are beautiful, they are full, and we have a waiting list," the authority's Executive Director, William McGowan, said of the senior apartments.

"Claysville has prospered because of the people in the community," Mr. Maggi said.

The Redevelopment Authority is planning to construct the first five townhouse units on a three-acre site behind Claysville Elementary School, then build the rest in five-unit increments after the first few are sold.

The site formerly was a ballpark, or "Claysville's field of dreams," according to Mr. Maggi.

It was purchased by the county in 2005 for $50,000 from private owners and the borough.

Although the Redevelopment Authority had planned to build the first 10 units now, the authority's Housing Director Jim Hott said the economic downturn convinced officials to gauge interest before plunging in all the way.

"It's our intention when the first five are built, we'll move on to the next five," Mr. Hott said.

The first five townhouses are expected to be completed by May, and will include two-bedroom units for $145,000 and three-bedroom units for $150,000.

Ten of the 19 units will be earmarked for families with incomes at or below 115 percent of the median income in the Pittsburgh metropolitan statistical area. The current maximum annual income limit for a family of four is $74,000.

The median household income in Claysville is about half of that, according to the US Census Bureau. Average home prices are about $100,000.

The remaining nine units will be sold without economic restrictions.

The county will use a $500,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development for the project, along with $700,000 from the authority's Affordable Housing funds.

The department's grant falls under the Redevelopment Assistance Core Communities Housing Program, designed to provide affordable housing statewide.

The department's Southwest Regional Director Jack Machek said the project appealed to them because it was located in an established community and wouldn't be contributing to suburban sprawl.

"Without our investment, these projects would never happen," he said.

The Affordable Housing funds are generated through rental income from senior apartment buildings operated by the county.

County commissioners said the goal is to promote more development in the area, not generally known as a hot spot of progress.

Located in the southwest corner of the county, the vast majority of houses in Claysville are single-family homes, an average of 70 years old. The borough's Main Street, along Route 40, is littered with shops, restaurants and other businesses.

"I defy any of you to tell me when the last house was constructed in Claysville," said Ross Bevevino, president of the Claysville Business Association, to audience members at Monday's groundbreaking ceremonies.

Mr. Bevevino said his group is focused on revitalizing the downtown area, and that borough citizens owe a "debt of gratitude" to the county and state for showcasing Claysville.

"The goal is a healthy Main Street and viable community," he said.