Keith Ramsey the Tenant Leader of the Eastchester Gardens NYCHA Houses introduced Mayor Bill de Blasio Friday morning on the mayor's final stop of City Hall in the Bronx Week. Also up front were the Bronx elected officials who represent Eastchester Gardens Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, State Senator Jamaal Bailey, and City Councilman Andy King.
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.”
Mayor de Blasio spoke briefly about the agreement with HUD Secretary Ben Carson saying that the NYCHA housing system must go forward with additional help from the federal and state governments. The mayor then said it was his commitment to bringing back NYCHA from the declining care of previous administrations. In addition the mayor added that the Bronx had also been shortchanged in many ways by previous administrations, but the Bronx is now going to get its Fair Share. Mayor de Blasio then called on Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to say a few words.
Assemblyman Heastie mentioned that he has lived in the area his entire life, that he is happy that $3.7 million dollars will finally be put into fixing up the community center at Eastchester Gardens, and asked the mayor is HUD Secretary Carson brought a check from Washington for NYCHA.
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
Above - Mayor de Blasio talking about bringing more resources to NYCHA, and the Bronx.
Below - Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie asks the mayor if HUD Secretary Ben Carson brought a check with him for NYCHA. Heastie would also mention that he grew up in the neighborhood of this soon to be refurbished community center.
Above - Mayor de Blasio and Councilman Andy King were able to chat before the announcement.
Below - On our way in we found this huge leak of water pouring out of the buildings HVAC unit on a very cold dry day.
