CAMDEN Revitalization of a depressed city was on many minds Tuesday morning at a formal celebration for the new Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.

Scheduled to open to its first 50 students Aug. 13, an open house brought together more than 300 medical, academic, political and community leaders, including present and past governors.

The establishment of a four-year medical school in Camden is long overdue, said Gov. Chris Christie. Children throughout New Jersey who dream of one day becoming a doctor now have another medical school option, right in their own state.

Former Gov. Jim Florio also was in attendance to see the projects completion.

Camden Mayor Dana Redd said the new institution is expected to boost the local economy and its level of health care, while creating a population of medical scholars and physicians.

I believe it is an indicator and a catalyst for future development to come, she said. Im really overjoyed. Im really overwhelmed at what has transpired in this city. Its Camdens time.

State Sen. Donald Norcross, D-5 of Camden, whose father George, a Cooper Hospital trustee, was instrumental in moving the project toward fruition, said the new six-story structure replaced abandoned buildings and a methadone clinic that previously sat on the Broadway site.

Construction on the school began in October 2010. On Tuesday, a time-lapse video showed the audience the evolution of the building as the U2 song Beautiful Day played. The project, Norcross said, relied on a variety of building trades that created apprentice opportunities for young people to learn skills.

Changing communities and changing lives. Thats what this great facility will do, he said.

According to medical school officials, about half of the institutions inaugural class has chosen to reside in the city while pursuing their educations. Since the school does not offer dormitory housing, those students are finding accommodations in nearby neighborhoods.

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New Cooper-Rowan medical school ready to open