LEWISTON — Local officials said Monday’s groundbreaking at the historic “Wedgewood” house was a decade in the making.

The sprawling, 82-unit development in nine buildings is considered the first phase of the city’s Choice Neighborhoods initiative, and it was celebrated Monday with a large gathering that included appearances by federal, state and local officials.

Many said the lengthy effort to get to this point was bolstered by a Tree Streets neighborhood that pushed for and guided the eventual plan for redevelopment and other programs that could turn the area into a desired community.