Renovated Community Center Opens at Monroe Houses 

On September 16, Monroe Houses residents in the Bronx celebrated the opening of a fully renovated community center. 

Local community members, led by Resident Association President Miriam Sanchez, were joined by NYCHA representatives, City Councilmember Amanda Farías, and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the reopening of the center, which hosts a variety of programming and activities for seniors and other residents. 

The remodeled facility at Monroe Houses, which is home to more than 2,300 residents, was designed with the help of community members who provided extensive input on the priorities for the center through a multi-year process. The project comprehensively updated some of the building’s most heavily used spaces, including the dining room, kitchen, offices, computer room, bathrooms, corridors, and storage areas. Work included a redesigned kitchen; new flooring throughout the center; renovated bathrooms; new walls, doors, and storage areas; and electrical and plumbing improvements. 

The nearly $4.5 million renovation was financed thanks to nearly $1.9 million from the New York City Council, $1 million from Bronx Borough President Gibson’s office, $500,000 in Neighborhood Development Fund funding, and nearly $1.1 million in federal funding.  
 
“The residents of Monroe Houses deserve a center that can support the full life of this development, and with this investment, they once again have a place they can depend on for senior programming, services, meetings, celebrations, and the everyday connections that bring neighbors together,” Councilmember Farías said.  

“This ribbon-cutting reflects the vision of the people who believed that Monroe Houses deserved this investment and have worked diligently to make this dream a reality,” Borough President Gibson said. “The renovations we are celebrating today are breathing new life into this community space and creating an improved environment that places the needs and wants of the Monroe Houses residents at the forefront.” 

NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt added: “The reopening of the Monroe Houses Community Center represents an important investment in the quality of life of residents by creating a modern, welcoming space where the community can gather, connect, and access resources. Most importantly, this renovation reflects the priorities and input of Monroe residents, whose voices helped shape the improvements throughout the center. We are proud to see this vital community space renewed and ready to serve residents for years to come.”  

Monroe Houses Resident Association President Miriam Sanchez said that community seniors advocated over the past decade for an upgraded space to host vital services, and they eagerly awaited the center’s reopening.  

“Our seniors deserve facilities that honor their dignity and reflect the contributions they have made to this community,” Ms. Sanchez said.  

The project was delivered through NYCHA’s design-bid-build process, with S&N Builders, Inc. serving as general contractor. 

Photo caption: City Councilmember Amanda Farías and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson join Monroe Houses community members to cut the ribbon for the fully renovated community center. (courtesy of Councilmember Farias’ office)