Nearly ten years ago, the New York City Housing Authority relocated tenants in Harlem’s Randolph Houses, telling them that the buildings were going to be renovated, but nothing ever happened and the dilapidate 19th century structures continued to decay.
Now, the Times reports that a plan is finally in place, and the four-year renovation project will begin imminently. The Randolph Houses consist of five-story Renaissance Revival buildings that run on both sides of 114th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Frederick Douglass Boulevard. The public-private redevelopment will turn the 36 buildings’ 452 apartments into 314; 147 units will remain under NYCHA’s control, while the remaining 167 will be operated by a private developer and made available to tenants making no more than $68,700 for a family of four. Boston-based Trinity Financial is the developer. The renovations will begin with the 22 buildings on the south side of the street, which have been vacant since 2006. The 1890 facades and stoops will be preserved, but the interiors will be essentially be gutted. The buildings will be connected with corridors, a common entrance will be created, and elevators will be added to the walk-ups. The apartments will also be larger than before, and there will be a laundry room on each floor, as well as community space in the basement.
The first phase of construction will cost $95.5 million, and NYCHA is contributing $40 million in federal capital funding. The rest will be covered with tax credits, including some for historic rehabilitation (source).
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