The managers of St. John's Towers in Havre de Grace are putting the finishing touches on the St. John's Commons complex and getting ready to officially debut the senior housing facility in June.

Sharon McGlothlin, executive director of both St. John's Commons and Towers, said a ribbon-cutting on the building at Pennington Avenue and Stokes Street is set for 11 a.m. on June 21.

She said residents will start moving in June 1, and the building is 50 percent leased.

"We are just wrapping up small items that need to be completed," she said, adding that the 50 percent rate is "actually very encouraging."

"We never really expected to be fully leased at opening," she said.

Construction is being wrapped up ahead of schedule — the project had a state deadline of August to be finished.

"We are very excited," McGlothlin said. "We are very pleased with the ease of construction and the timing and the completion, how quickly it was completed."

City councilman Fred Cullum said Wednesday he was eager to see it all done.

"I think it's fantastic. Of course, I live half a block from it and it's certainly a change from what was there," he said. "There was a business there with a chain-link fence around it. This is a much nicer view."

Cullum said the city needs more projects like St. John's Commons.

"I wish there were more places in town to build more of them," he said. "People are living longer and need places to live."

Although the project was originally controversial, and some residents remained opposed to it, Cullum said he has not heard any criticism lately.

"Any comments I have heard have all been positive," he said. "I have heard a lot of positive comments about what a nice building it is and what an improvement."