NYCHA’s Capital Projects Roundup: Spring 2024
A fully renovated playground at Amsterdam Houses in Manhattan and various beautification upgrades to the grounds at Astoria Houses in Queens were among NYCHA’s capital projects completed this spring to improve services for residents.
Other projects completed by NYCHA’s Asset and Capital Management Division (A&CM) in recent months include elevator replacements at Richmond Terrace in Staten Island and McKinley Houses in the Bronx.
A&CM oversees a multi-billion-dollar capital projects portfolio funded with federal, State, and City investments. The division 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 June 7, a ribbon-cutting event was held to mark the opening of the refurbished playground space at Amsterdam Houses, where more than 2,100 residents live. Resident leaders and neighbors were joined by NYCHA representatives and former City Councilmember Helen Rosenthal for the ceremony.
The new playground site features two dedicated play areas with upgraded equipment for children ages 2 to 5 and youth ages 5 to 12, newly installed spray showers, safety surfacing, enhanced lighting and benches, and a new perimeter fence. The approximately $1.1 million project was funded by former Councilmember Rosenthal’s office, along with $128,000 in federal funding.
Grounds improvements completed at Astoria Houses in Queens include new benches, picnic tables, shade structures, and landscaping.
Earlier this year, the Astoria Houses community welcomed a range of grounds improvements, which included a new walkway to an outdoor seating area, a new ramp leading to one of the building entrances, newly installed asphalt and concrete pavers, and surrounding landscaping.
As part of the beautification efforts at the development where more than 2,600 residents live, crews installed several planter boxes; new benches, including seating with tables; three picnic tables; two shade structures; and a newly painted perimeter fence. The approximately $596,000 project received federal and City funding, which included funds provided by former Councilmember Costa Constantinides’ office.
Crews replaced and upgraded 12 elevators in six buildings at Staten Island’s Richmond Terrace development.
This spring, A&CM marked the completion of extensive elevator investments at Richmond Terrace and McKinley Houses, home to nearly 1,100 residents and 1,300 residents, respectively. At the Staten Island development, the project involved the replacement and upgrade of 12 elevators in six buildings. Crews installed new gearless machines, controllers, machine room ventilation, cab enclosures, door operators, and signal fixtures, along with electrical work. The approximately $11.9 million project received federal and State funding.
Ten elevators were replaced and upgraded in five buildings at McKinley Houses in the Bronx.
Similar installations were performed at McKinley Houses, where 10 elevators in five buildings were replaced with upgraded systems. The nearly $9.7 million project at the Bronx development was federally funded.
Featured photo caption: Former City Councilmember Helen Rosenthal joins Amsterdam Houses community members for a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the new playground space.