The Medical College of Georgia on Wednesday broke ground for a new dental school on its campus.

Governor Sonny Perdue, other politicians and MCG officials were on hand for the groundbreaking.

A public housing complex, Gilbert Manor, was closed and demolished to make way for the school, with 260 low-income family having to find new public housing or taking vouchers for private housing. Residents were divided on the move; some opposed it and others welcomed it as an opportunity for better housing.

Construction on the $112 million school is expected to last about two years, and will have about 100,000 feet more space than the current school. Class size will increase from 63 to 100 by 2016. MCG expects it to be occupied by 2012.

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