Investing nearly $4 million to renovate the gym, classrooms and infrastructure
BRONX —Mayor Bill de Blasio was joined by Speaker Carl Heastie today to announce major repairs for the community center at NYCHA’s Eastchester Gardens Development. The City will invest nearly $4 million to renovate and upgrade the gym, classrooms, heating system and plumbing that serve over 2,000 NYCHA residents. Construction will start in 2021.
“Community centers are the heart of our neighborhoods, and provide a place for all New Yorkers to come together, learn and have fun,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “These long overdue renovations will ensure that Eastchester residents have access to all the services they deserve.”
“Every New Yorker deserves access to safe, affordable housing,” said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. “I want to thank Mayor de Blasio for recognizing the need for critical repairs at Eastchester Gardens. For the families that live here, this funding will go a long way in helping make much-needed infrastructure improvements as well as enhance shared recreational and meeting spaces like the gymnasium, community center and classrooms.”
"I always say 'People Pay Attention to People Who Participate.' I want to thank the advocacy of Eastchester Houses TA President Keith Ramsey, Speaker Carl Heastie, myself and others for constantly bringing to light the conditions at Eastchester. I applaud Mayor de Blasio 1000 percent for hearing our voices and investing nearly $4 million to a community center that is hub of the Eastchester Gardens Houses community. Job well done Mr. Mayor Thank you," said Council Member Andy King, whose district includes the Eastchester Gardens development.
“I am grateful for Mayor de Blasio’s continued support of NYCHA residents, including today’s Eastchester Gardens upgrades,” said NYCHA General Manager Vito Mustaciuolo. “These centers are greatly valued and play an important role in the communities. Making sure they are maintained is vital in providing safe, fun and educational spaces for our residents.”
This community center was last repaired more than 10 years ago. These upgrades will include the following:
New, larger gym with a regulation size basketball court Upgraded HVAC and plumbing system to prevent leaking Renovated classrooms for afterschool programming
The de Blasio Administration has made an unprecedented commitment to preserve and strengthen public housing. This investment is part of the Administration’s total commitment to $2.1 billion to support NYCHA’s capital infrastructure from Fiscal Year 2014 to Fiscal Year 2027 and $1.6 billion to support NYCHA’s operations from Fiscal Year 2014 to Fiscal Year 2022. This investment includes $1.3 billion to fix over 900 roofs, over $500 million to repair deteriorating exterior brickwork at nearly 400 buildings, and $140 million to improve security at 15 NYCHA developments.
The City has also waived NYCHA’s annual PILOT and NYPD payments to the City, relieving NYCHA of nearly $100 million in operating expenses a year. In January 2018, the Mayor announced $13 million to improve NYCHA’s response to heating emergencies this winter, followed by an additional $200 million for long-term heating improvements at 20 NYCHA developments.
