The site formerly consisted of city blocks with small attached homes in poor condition, and existing residents were removed via a slum clearance program.[4] In 1952, the first tenants began moving in[5] and the development was completed on September 30, 1954[6] under the Taft-Ellender-Wagner Housing Act of 1949. When the houses initially began seeking applicants, World War II veterans received priority.[4] From 1947 to 1953, the playground at the St. Nicholas Houses on 128th Street and Seventh Avenue was the site of the Ruckers tournament until it was moved to a larger playground on 130th Street in 1954.[7] While at the playground, Holcombe Rucker developed the tournament into five divisions: girls, junior high school, high school, college and pro.
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