NYCHA Now

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NYCHA Now
October 2023 

NYCHA’s Capital Projects Roundup: Fall 2023 

Vincent Echavaria

A newly renovated kitchen at the Jefferson Houses community center in Manhattan was among the capital projects celebrated by the NYCHA community this summer. 

Other projects completed by NYCHA’s Asset and Capital Management Division (A&CM) in recent months included various grounds improvements at developments in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens and apartment ventilation renovations in Manhattan.     

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.  

After the Jefferson community center project was completed at the end of July, a ribbon-cutting event was held to mark the reopening of the kitchen. Residents were joined by the project team, property managers, and City Councilmember Diana Ayala for the ceremony.  

The facility upgrades included the installation of new kitchen equipment and a fire suppression system; relocation of walk-in freezers; and associated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work. The approximately $1.2 million project at Jefferson Houses – home to more than 3,000 residents – was funded by former Councilmember Melissa Mark-Viverito’s office as well as additional City Council discretionary funding.    

Councilmember Diana Ayala (third from left) joined property managers and the project team to mark the reopening of the renovated kitchen at Jefferson Houses.

Also completed in July were a variety of exterior renovations to the grounds at Ingersoll Houses in Brooklyn, where more than 3,800 residents live. Crews installed new pavement, concrete curbs, and an irrigation system, while the grounds received new features such as raised planter beds, steel benches, and a storage shed. The $500,000 project was funded by former Councilmember Laurie Cumbo’s office.  

Grounds improvements at Ingersoll Houses include raised planter beds.

Hernandez Houses in Manhattan also received new pavement, concrete curbs, and steel fences as part of grounds improvements completed in September. The $250,000 project received funding from former Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer’s office.  

Renovations to the grounds at Hernandez Houses.

After a renovated basketball court and designated barbecue area were opened at Pomonok Houses in Queens thanks to a Connected Communities effort in 2022, A&CM completed the second phase of capital improvements to the space in late August. As part of the $254,000 City-funded project at Pomonok – home to nearly 4,000 residents – the barbecue area grounds received new benches, tables, fencing, and landscaping. 

The barbecue area at Pomonok Houses received additional upgrades such as benches and landscaping.

Also in August, A&CM completed ventilation upgrades for all apartments at Jefferson Houses. The apartment ventilation systems were retrofitted with new equipment to improve airflow and rooftop exhaust fans were replaced. The $5.1 million project was funded through City revenue allocated through the East Harlem rezoning initiative.   

Ventilation system upgrades were also completed in September for apartments in nine buildings at Manhattan’s Wagner Houses, where more than 4,400 residents live. Apartment ventilation systems were retrofitted with new equipment to improve airflow and rooftop exhaust fans were replaced. The $2.3 million project received City funding through the East Harlem rezoning initiative.