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Rendering of St. Nicholas improvements
Comprehensive Modernization Top Story 

NYCHA’s Largest Design-Build Contract Will Bring $477M Comprehensive Modernization of Saint Nicholas Houses

Michael

On March 20, NYCHA announced the execution of a contract with the design-build team, Saint Nicholas Revitalization Partners, selected to perform more than $477 million of renovation work for the Comprehensive Modernization of Saint Nicholas Houses in Harlem to the benefit of 3,340 residents living in 1,526 apartments across 13 buildings. The negotiation and signing of the design-build agreement for Saint Nicholas marks the Authority’s largest design-build contract as well as its overall largest capital project to date, a record previously set by a Comprehensive Modernization project at Todt Hill earlier in the year, and represents the latest major milestone in delivering the large-scale holistic repairs outlined in the City Capital Action Plan approved by the Federal Monitor in May 2021. The Comprehensive Modernization approach is consistent with other large-scale renovation programs in the NYCHA portfolio, forgoing component-based repairs and instead addressing the needs of an entire property. Following the NYCHA Board’s approval of the contract in October 2023, Saint Nicholas Revitalization Partners will ramp up participation in the robust resident engagement efforts that have been underway at Saint Nicholas since late 2021. Residents will continue to provide valuable input to the design process starting this summer, with major construction anticipated to ramp up in early 2025.

“I’m thrilled to see this next step in the renovation of Saint Nicholas Houses begin, in partnership with Saint Nicholas Revitalization Partners,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “Their work will be integral in bringing crucial improvements to the homes of thousands of NYCHA residents. I look forward to seeing the results of this effort, which incorporates resident input throughout the process.”

“Saint Nicholas Revitalization Partners’ work will result in major upgrades for the residents who call Saint Nicholas Houses home,” said Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg. “I am thrilled that the residents of Saint Nicholas Houses will be able to enjoy higher-quality, more sustainable homes, thanks to the collaboration between SNRP, NYCHA, and residents, which brings a record-breaking $477 million in renovations to more than 1,500 families in Harlem.”

“As NYCHA continues to use every available tool to bring investment into our developments, we are pleased that our Comprehensive Modernization program will facilitate holistic improvements that will directly benefit residents,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “We started out 2024 by executing the design-build contract at Todt Hill and are quickly following suit with Saint Nicholas, where nearly 3,350 residents can look forward to critical repairs and quality of life renovations for their homes and throughout the development.”

“We look forward to collaborating with Saint Nicholas Revitalization Partners to bring residents a high-quality, integrated renovation of their apartments while minimizing day-to-day disruption,” said NYCHA Chief Asset and Capital Management Officer Shaan Mavani. “Utilizing the design-build approach, we will be able to more effectively oversee the selected team who will be upgrading the plumbing, heating, and hot water systems; addressing environmental conditions; and completing considerable in-unit and other building upgrades.”

“Over two years ago, we began a journey with the residents of Saint Nicholas, tapping into their deep well of knowledge built over years, even decades, of living here,” said NYCHA Vice President for Comprehensive Modernization Michele Basic-Moore. “Through insightful workshops, community meetings, and countless conversations, we listened, learned, and collaborated to translate resident experiences into the very foundation of this historic contract. Saint Nicholas Revitalization Partners, chosen through a rigorous selection process, will join us in making this vision a reality. Together, we look forward to continuing our collaboration with the residents to create safe, healthy, and modern homes.”

 “We are ready and eager,” said Saint Nicholas Resident Association President Leslie Johnson. “After years of anticipation, we are beyond thrilled to see the long-awaited repairs and renovations finally on the horizon for Saint Nicholas Houses. So many of us have lived through decades hoping for change, and now here we are on the brink of it becoming a reality. A heartfelt thank you to the entire Comp Mod team for making this much-needed transformation possible. For all of us here, it’s more than just an improvement; it’s the beginning of a life-changing journey.”

Comprehensive Modernization effectively utilizes available capital funding to holistically rehabilitate a NYCHA property, improve building performance, and enhance residents’ quality of life through improved living conditions. The approval of the City Capital Action Plan in 2021 unlocked $2.2 billion in funding support for addressing key pillar areas of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) agreement, primarily around lead-based paint and mold abatement but also around renovation of other building systems. With this infusion of capital support from the City and additional funding from the federal government, NYCHA was able to mobilize a total of $740 million for Comprehensive Modernization at two developments, Todt Hill and Saint Nicholas Houses, empowering the Authority to adopt a more ambitious approach to renovation focusing on: 

  • Improving resident health and well-being;
  • Upgrading building systems;
  • Strengthening resiliency and sustainability;
  • Making maintenance and operations more efficient; and
  • Ensuring regulatory and code compliance.

Comprehensive Modernization entails undertaking major renovations through a single, integrated project, allowing developments to be renovated more quickly, at a better quality, and with better value for money spent. NYCHA is utilizing design-build project delivery, which improves coordination, shortens the procurement process, and ultimately saves money by awarding contracts to single entities for both design and construction work.

Comprehensive Modernization has been guided by a robust engagement process since late 2021 to identify and implement resident priorities, ensure the compliance-based requirements of the funding are met, and support continued communication during renovation. NYCHA organized virtual and in-person community visioning workshops with residents to outline their renovation priorities. This feedback directly informed the RFP issued to the shortlist of design and construction firms, which ultimately led to the selection of Saint Nicholas Revitalization Partners (SNRP) to carry out renovations to Saint Nicholas Houses, benefitting 3,340 residents living in 1,526 apartments across 13 buildings.

The selected design-build team, SNRP, consists of Douglaston Development and Bronx Pro Group, reflecting NYCHA’s commitment to supporting Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE), with Bronx Pro being a women-owned affordable housing firm. SNRP’s projected scope of improvements for Saint Nicholas includes kitchen and bathroom renovations; improved ventilation; hazardous material abatement, including the removal of all lead-based paint; complete plumbing replacement; electrical upgrades; full elevator replacements; brand-new electric heating and hot water systems; window replacement; façade repairs, including a new cladding system on the exteriors of the building; and pest and waste management upgrades.

The removal of lead-based materials and mold, as well as the extensive nature of the work, will necessitate the temporary relocation of Saint Nicholas residents. This will not result in permanent displacement for residents, and rent will not increase due to Comprehensive Modernization work. NYCHA will pay for all reasonable moving expenses and residents will be provided the right to return to the same apartment in writing. Saint Nicholas residents will be relocated on-site or to nearby NYCHA developments in Manhattan for no more than nine months while work is completed two buildings at a time. NYCHA will closely oversee design and construction, and all residents will remain in the Section 9 public housing program. The design and construction process for these properties is expected to take four to four and a half years to complete with major construction expected to begin in early 2025.

Photo caption: A rendering of the dramatic improvements coming to Saint Nicholas Houses.