The NYCHA Journal

The NYCHA Journal has informed and inspired residents since 1970, covering the news, contributions, and uplifting stories of the NYCHA community while providing the latest information on Authority initiatives.

Corsi seating area
Repair & Rebuild Top Story 

NYCHA’s Capital Projects Roundup: September

Vincent Echavaria

In September, NYCHA’s Capital Projects Division (CPD) marked the completion of two City-funded projects in Manhattan and Brooklyn as well as three federally funded projects in the Bronx that will bring a variety of benefits and improved services for residents.   

CPD oversees more than $1 billion in construction projects across the Authority’s portfolio that are funded with federal, State, and City investments. The department works to preserve and modernize public housing for NYCHA residents through professional design and construction services that are carried out efficiently and with the highest degree of safety and quality. 

On September 4, NYCHA completed several improvements to an outdoor seating area at Corsi Houses in Manhattan, including installing a new free-standing concrete seating structure, new wicket fencing, and LED lighting fixtures. Additional site upgrades include new trash receptacles, a new arched shelter structure, surface-mounted lighting at the entrance, as well as landscaping. A ribbon cutting for the improvements was held during the development’s Family Day event. 

The project was initially supported with $300,000 in funding from former City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, and later received an additional $150,000 in funding from City Council Member Diana Ayala. 

A new free-standing concrete seating structure and new arched shelter structure were among the City-funded improvements at Corsi Houses in Manhattan.

Thanks to another City-funded project, local youth will be able to enjoy renovations to two of the three playground areas at Brooklyn’s Fiorentino Plaza, including new colorized play equipment, safety surfacing, and a spray shower area. The $500,000 initiative was funded by former City Council Member Rafael Espinal. Upgrades were also completed at the development’s third play site by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), the State’s public finance and construction authority.     

At Boston Road Plaza in the Bronx, CPD completed a modernization of the development’s elevators. Crews replaced the two elevator cabs and installed new elevator flooring, controls, lighting, doors, and related equipment. The $1.4 million project, which was the first elevator replacement effort at NYCHA since 2015, was funded by a federal grant. CPD currently has elevator replacements planned or in progress at 26 developments, encompassing more than 300 elevators. 

Also in September, CPD finalized the replacement of electrical feeders and gas mains as part of two separate projects at Jackson Houses in the Bronx. Gas mains and riser piping were replaced to allow for new gas service to be delivered from the street to each of the development’s seven buildings. The $3.7 million project, completed on September 24, was funded by a federal grant.  

Gas mains and riser piping were replaced as part of a federally funded project at Jackson Houses in the Bronx.

Crews also installed new equipment in electrical meter rooms and removed old transformer equipment at Jackson Houses in a project that was completed on September 28. The $20.7 million project, funded by a federal grant, also involved replacing electrical feeders and related work for the delivery of service from the street to each of the development’s seven buildings.