Two people stand in the way of NYCHA and a fresh vision for its West Chelsea developments.
Last week, a judge refused to order two senior citizens residing in the Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses to immediately vacate, Crain’s reported, throwing a wrench in the $2 billion plan to demolish and rebuild the properties.
In her ruling, Judge Emily Morales-Minerva said NYCHA “cites no authority for the ‘emergency’ relief requested, which involves forcing a NYCHA tenant to relocate for the purposes of updating an apartment with ‘modern amenities.’”
Morales-Minerva added that NYCHA failed to explain how not making immediate updates to the units in question would cause “irreparable harm.”
In response to the ruling, a spokesperson for the agency said it would pursue “other avenues of legal proceedings” pertaining to the two residents. The judge, for one, pointed NYCHA to housing court, which could create more delays.
A vast majority of the residents at the public housing complexes are able to stay in place while work is done to build the forthcoming properties. But some are being asked to temporarily relocate and not all are willing, leading to multiple lawsuits filed by NYCHA.
Residents at the complex have the right to an apartment at the rebuilt complex. Those relocating are also entitled to a “comparable” unit nearby on a temporary basis with moving and packing expenses provided.
Residents were told to move out by Oct. 26 as demolition is expected to start in the fall or winter. NYCHA and Related Companies filed plans for a 12-story, 217-unit building at 401 West 19th Street over the summer.
The development team, which also includes Essence Development, is tasked with replacing more than 2,000 public housing units. They will also build retail and commercial space, as well as 3,500 mixed-income apartments, 1,000 of which will be put aside at affordable rates.
As of 2023, the project was expected to cost $1.5 billion.
— Holden Walter-Warner
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