City Hall in Your Borough: Manhattan

NYCHA joined Mayor Bill de Blasio for “City Hall in Your Borough: Manhattan,” from September 25 to 29, spending the week focused on the needs and concerns of Manhattan residents.  This was the fourth borough in the Mayor’s City Hall in Your Borough initiative.

September 25

NYCHA Chair & CEO Shola Olatoye and Council Member Helen Rosenthal toured De Hostos Apartments and discussed solutions to replace the development’s roof.

September 26

At Grant Houses, NYCHA General Manager Michael Kelly, City Council Member Mark Levine, Resident Association President Carlton Davis, and residents toured the construction site of their future laundromat. Grant is home to more than 4,400 residents, but the closest place to do laundry is a 10-15 minute walk away. Thanks to $1.1 million from Council Member Levine, the construction site will soon have all the necessary plumbing and ventilation needed to be transformed into a laundromat.

September 27

NYCHA participated in City Hall’s Resource fair held at the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center in Washington Heights.

September 28

NYCHA’s getting greener! Two new urban farms are being built at NYCHA developments.  One is currently under construction at Forest Hills in the Bronx, and another will be built at a development on Staten Island.

NYCHA Chair & CEO Shola Olatoye joined First Lady Chirlane McCray, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, restaurant owner Carla Hall, co-host of ABC’s “The Chew,” Wagner Houses Resident Association President Katie Harris, and others at Wagner Houses Farm in East Harlem for the announcement.

“We are thrilled to expand NYCHA’s farm program to two more developments,” said Chair Olatoye. “Farms at NYCHA are innovative and create an important cornerstone for our communities.”

The two new farms are funded by $500,000 from the Mayor’s Building Healthy Communities (BHC) initiative—a $12 million program started in 2016 that brings together numerous City agencies and private funders to work on improving health outcomes in 12 neighborhoods. In these targeted areas, BHC is increasing access to healthy and affordable food, providing more opportunities for physical activity, and fostering public safety.

The first NYCHA farm was built at Red Hook Houses in 2013, followed by three farms built through BHC in Brownsville, Canarsie, and East Harlem; all the farms are supported through BHC. Green City Force, an AmeriCorps program that trains 18-to-24-year-old NYCHA residents in green jobs, builds and maintains the farms. NYCHA’s farms are responsible for more than 25,000 pounds of fresh produce that has been distributed to residents.  

September 29

NYCHA celebrated the 80th anniversary of New York City landmark Harlem River Houses with a celebration that brought together residents, community members, and elected officials.

Harlem River Houses is rich with history: it opened its doors in 1937; was named a National Historic Landmark in 1975; and is home to the Macomb Bridge Library, the smallest branch of the New York Public Library—it has just 12 chairs!  

Soon, the library will move into a renovated 3,375-square-foot space across the street from Harlem River Houses. The new space, owned by NYCHA, will increase annual visits, while connecting residents to resources they need. The expanded library is made possible in part by $2 million from City Council Member Inez Dickens, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and State Assembly Member Herman “Denny” Farrell Jr.

“Harlem River Houses is not only a national landmark but a New York City asset,” Chair Olatoye said. “New York City set the standard for affordable housing with developments like Harlem River, which was the first federally funded public housing development in the country built for African-Americans. It is important we acknowledge this anniversary and remember our history as we strive to preserve the Authority for future generations of working New Yorkers.”

The anniversary party included a proclamation from the Mayor’s office, a performance of “We Are Family” by seniors from the Lincoln Senior Center, and a song and poem recital of Langston Hughes’ “My People” by children from the Mary Watson Day Care Center. A NextGen NYCHA Resource Fair at the development featured a visit from the NYCHA Mobile Command bus to address residents’ maintenance issues, as well as food, games, face painting, music, and an opportunity to hop onto one of NYCHA’s digital vans.

The celebration was organized in partnership with Harlem River Resident Association,  Congress Member Adriano Espaillat, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, New York State Senator Brian Benjamin, and New York City Council Member Bill Perkins.