Environmental Review Kicks Off for Rebuilding Plan at Fulton & Elliott-Chelsea Houses

The plan would tear down and rebuild all 2,056 NYCHA apartments at the aging Manhattan campuses, and construct an additional 3,450 mixed-income units there. The public has a chance to weigh in by writing or at three public meetings in February.

Plans for the slated demolition and rebuilding of NYCHA’s Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses are inching closer to reality.

On Monday, the housing authority announced a Notice of Intent (NOI) for the Manhattan complexes—the first step in the environmental review process for the plan, which will rebuild all 2,056 NYCHA apartments at the aging campuses and construct an additional 3,450 mixed-income units there.

The Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses are among more than 37,000 NYCHA apartments that have converted, or are in the process of converting, from the traditional public housing Section 9 model to Project Based Section 8 under the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program, NYCHA’s effort to unlock repair funds by partnering with private developers.

However, the Chelsea complexes will be the first in the PACT initiative to see remodeling by way of razing and re-raising the properties. Essence Development and Related Companies have been tapped to carry out the project.

In a survey conducted last summer, the housing authority announced that a majority of participating residents chose a brand new start by way of tearing down and rebuilding, rather than rehab the existing buildings. Should the proposed project move forward, the Fulton, Elliott, Chelsea and Chelsea Addition Houses will be replaced by newer, and in some cases taller, high rises.

“We need to save NYCHA now,” said Adolfo Carrion Jr., commissioner of the city’s Department of Housing and Preservation Development (HPD), which is partnering on the environmental review process. “Public housing residents can’t wait any longer and that’s exactly why the Fulton and Elliott Chelsea redevelopment is so important.”

But many remain opposed to the demolition plans, which would uproot residents in two buildings and relocate them temporarily while construction is underway. NYCHA has said the majority of tenants—94 percent—will remain in their current homes until the new buildings are ready.

One Fulton tenant, who asked City Limits to identify her by first name only, says that she too wants change—but not if it means parting ways with the place she has called home for more than two decades.

“I won’t deny that we do have residents in Fulton that want it,” Jackie said. “Of course we want new stuff, but not to demolish.”

Along with modernization, an additional 3,450 mixed-income units will be constructed on NYCHA property. The NOI is a precursor to an Environmental Impact Statement, which will examine what ramifications the proposal may have on residents, neighbors or businesses in the surrounding area. 

Part of the EIS includes a process called “scoping” where members of the public are encouraged to share their comments and concerns for review. Maria Torres-Springer, the deputy mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce said that with the EIS in motion, it is “critical” to have the voices and interest of NYCHA tenants at the center.

“The administration’s Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea redevelopment project is one of the boldest plans in NYCHA’s history, delivering brand-new homes and amenities for NYCHA residents and creating thousands of additional units of housing in one of the highest opportunity neighborhoods in the city,” said Torres-Springer.

The public has until Feb. 20 at 5 p.m. to send their insights in writing, or can share their input at three scoping meetings: The first at the Fulton Houses at 6 p.m. on Feb. 1,* another to be held virtually at 4 p.m. on Feb. 5, and the last to take place at the Elliott-Chelsea Houses at 6:30 p.m on Feb. 7. More information here.

Have an opinion on the plans for Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses? City Limits is looking for oped submissions from tenants for our CityViews section. Email [email protected].

To reach the reporter behind this story, contact [email protected]. To reach the editor, contact [email protected]

*This story has been updated since original publication to reflect changes NYCHA made to its hearing schedule.