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NYCHA Now
Featured November 2025 Sustainability 

NYCHA Earns Award for Capital Heating Projects in the Bronx 

Vincent Echavaria

NYCHA has been recognized by a national construction industry publication for two energy-efficient heating and hot water projects in the Bronx.   

On November 20, Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) New York region presented NYCHA’s Asset and Capital Management division with a “Best Project” award in the residential/hospitality and excellence in sustainability categories for its geothermal domestic hot water and heating upgrade projects at Eastchester Gardens and Jackson Houses. Twenty-five projects in 16 categories were honored at ENR New York’s annual Best Projects award event at The Edison Ballroom in Manhattan. 

Projects across New York and New Jersey were evaluated on the team’s ability to overcome challenges, as well as safety, construction/design quality, and contribution to the industry and community. 

Led by design firm CSA Group, design-build firm Adam’s European Contracting Inc., and program management team AECOM, the two separate projects implemented innovative heating and hot-water technologies and design strategies that support NYCHA’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions footprint while providing reliable, consistent heating and hot water service at the two developments, which are home to more than 3,600 residents combined.  

As part of the projects, the developments’ gas-fired steam boilers in the central plants were replaced with new high-efficiency, gas-condensing boilers for heating. In addition, the domestic hot water heaters were de-coupled from the heating system to install geothermal heat pump systems that will supply year-round hot water to 1,745 apartments across 17 multifamily buildings. ENR noted that the efforts will contribute to “long-term environmental resilience,” as the new systems help reduce fuel consumption and lower annual carbon emissions.    

New high-efficiency, gas-condensing boilers and hot water tanks were installed for the projects at Jackson Houses and Eastchester Gardens.

“NYCHA’s Capital Programs team is thrilled that ENR New York is recognizing our modernization of heating systems at Eastchester Gardens and Jackson Houses with its Best Project award,” said Harjit Singh, Deputy Director of Capital Programs. “We are proud to have delivered a project that showcases NYCHA’s commitment to utilize energy-efficient, innovative technologies to reduce the Authority’s carbon emissions and improve the quality of life for its residents and neighbors. The new geothermal heat-pump systems, an innovation for NYCHA, are providing reliable, comfortable, and consistent domestic hot water to all the apartments at each of the two developments, while contributing to a cleaner environment.”  

All Best Project-level award winners from ENR regions were automatically entered into ENR’s national “Best of the Best” contest. The Best of the Best winners will be recognized at the annual Award of Excellence event in New York City next year.