Bronx Residents Applaud New Capital Improvements at Patterson, Mitchel Houses 

On March 15, residents of Patterson and Mitchel Houses in the Bronx celebrated the completion of facility improvements that will revitalize community spaces in their neighborhoods.   

Residents were joined by NYCHA representatives, elected officials, and community partners for ribbon-cutting ceremonies to officially welcome a newly renovated community center kitchen at Patterson Houses and a host of energy-efficient outdoor lighting installations at nearby Mitchel Houses.  

The $1.4 million capital project for the Patterson Community Center, completed in early December, received funding from City Councilmember Diana Ayala’s office and the office of former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., as well as federal funding. Councilmember Ayala’s office and the Mayor’s Office also provided funding, along with federal funds, for the $7 million lighting project at Mitchel Houses, which completed work in late February.   

As part of the community center renovation, the kitchen was remodeled with new features including a stove, refrigerator, sink, exhaust fan, and fire suppression system. Other building improvements included new flooring and tiling, fixtures, doors, windows, and upgrades to the four bathrooms.  

At Mitchel Houses, exterior lighting systems were replaced with a range of state-of-the-art LED lighting fixtures throughout the development at entrances, walkways, play areas and sports courts, parking areas, and the perimeter of the campus. The new lighting installations provide enhanced visibility while eliminating glare and reducing impacts on the nocturnal environment, and also feature a time clock control.  

In addition to the lighting systems, the capital project at Mitchel Houses will include a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible playground. Construction on the play space, the final phase of the project, is set to begin in the spring.  

New features of the fully remodeled Patterson Community Center kitchen.

Councilmember Ayala expressed excitement for Bronx residents to benefit from the recently completed capital improvements. She said the Patterson community has been awaiting a refurbished community center and central kitchen, where seniors and young residents can enjoy a shared space.  

“As a City Councilmember, I am proud to have successfully provided the funds used for this much-needed improvement and I look forward to working with the City, NYCHA, and residents to make sure that Patterson residents have what they need,” she said.  

Patterson Houses Resident Association President Patricia Simpson called the center renovation her “pet project,” noting that the kitchen space is the building’s main attraction which can now better serve youth attending after-school and summer programs. Youth programs at the site are sponsored by East Side House Settlement.  

“I think that this finally has our stamp of approval,” said Ms. Simpson, who has lived at Patterson Houses for over 50 years. “This is something the kids needed for years. It’s very important that they finally have a stove to heat and cook their food and have hot meals.”  

NYCHA Project Manager Richard Meyers added, “Exposing students to nutritional hot food will give them the life skills and practice to recognize the benefits of making healthy food choices, and will support students’ well-being, boost their self-esteem, and promote positive body image.”  

Over the years, the Patterson center has been a popular communal space for residents and seniors, hosting various community programming in its classrooms, holiday gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and food giveaways for people experiencing homelessness.  

Councilmember Diana Ayala joined NYCHA representatives and community members to celebrate the completion of LED lighting installations across the Mitchel Houses campus.

Residents at Mitchel Houses were also pleased to applaud the latest service enhancements that came to their community. Resident Association President Pamela Smith, a resident since 1965, described the energy-efficient lighting installations as a “blessing” that allow pedestrians to see clearly across the development at night and foster safety.  

“I love it; it looks really good,” Ms. Smith said of the LED lighting. “I’m so happy and a lot of the residents are happy because we can see much better.”  

Councilmember Ayala said she was gratified to support a project that will enable residents to feel safer where they live.  

“I am so happy to have collaborated with the Mayoral administration on the new lighting throughout Mitchel,” she said. “While safety and security are not only achieved through infrastructure improvements, better lighting and clarity will have an impact on community sentiment and will lead to better public safety outcomes.”

Featured photo caption: The refurbished Patterson Community Center kitchen was ceremoniously opened with a ribbon cutting on March 15.