NIMBYs in million-dollar pads try to topple NYCHA plan for new apartments
6 This problem-riddled Chelsea housing project is slated to be replaced.
Gregory P. Mango
NIMBYs living in million-dollar pads are trying to derail the planned massive overhaul of one of Manhattan's largest NYCHA apartment complexes.
The city's first-of-its-kind public-private partnership with prominent social-driven real-estate firms Related Companies and Essence Developments aims to create an entirely new neighborhood in place of the dilapidated Fulton & Elliott–Chelsea Housing projects.
But some well-heeled locals are pushing back against the touted trail-blazing type of public housing.
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Lydia Andre, a leader of her Chelsea neighborhood block coalition, has been knocking on the NYCHA tenants' doors, warning them of the project's dangers since it was announced.
She is the first to admit she doesn't want to deal with the noise and pollution of a 16-plus-year local construction project — but she claims her opposition is mostly altruistic.
'I don't think that's outside interference,' Andre said of her efforts to raise opposition.
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'I think that's helping people speak truth to power,' she told The Post of her belief that she's protecting the tenants from displacement.
Andre lives in a brownstone across the street from the NYCHA complex in an apartment that was last purchased in 2007 for $4.2 million dollars.
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The design of the planned new complex moves away from the 'super block' model typically associated with public housing, while guaranteeing all current tenants will receive a new apartment in the new buildings.
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The project, which will involve the demolition and rebuilding of 2,056 NYCHA units for 4,500 residents — will also construct an additional 3,500 mixed-income units. It also will feature scattered small parks and small businesses in a bid to create a more vibrant community feel.
As part of her push against the plan, Andre has started championing a new candidate for City Council – a tenant who lives at Fulton Elliot – to challenge the district's incumbent of four years, Erik Bottcher, who supports the project.
'I think [Bottcher] is wrong — and you know what? So do a lot of people — that's why I got a protest candidate on the ballot and why she's qualified for matching funds,' Andre said of candidate Jacqueline Lara.
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Layla Law-Gisiko, who also lives in a million-dollar apartment in the area, has joined the fight against the plan, too, and sends weekly email blasts opposing it.
Gisiko – who once ran for state assembly – may still have political ambitions, sources close to the matter told The Post.
'This project is wrong on so many levels. It siphons public funds and public land into private profits, with 91% of the financing coming from taxpayers — yet the upside goes to Related,' Law-Gisiko said.
'The first building they've targeted for demolition is the senior building. These are tenants in their 80s and 90s. If they survive one forced move, they may not survive a second. The project has relied on misinformation, manipulation, and silence. Fear is the best eviction notice—and that's exactly what's being weaponized here,' she said.
Law-Gisiko runs point on the opposition to the project, alongside Fulton Elliot Houses President Renee Keitt and with the help of Lydia Andre and other neighbors.
6 Layla Law-Gisiko, a previous candidate for state assembly and a Chelsea resident, runs point on the opposition to the project.
Gabriella Bass
Keitt calls the project a 'land grab' and insists there is nothing in writing guaranteeing current tenants new houses.
But an agreement between the city and Related has two separate clauses that protect tenants and ensure they get new homes, a review by The Post found.
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Miguel Acevedo, president of the tenant association and a resident of the housing project for more than 23 years, doesn't deny that tenants feel anxious about the planned demolition but thinks the NIMBYs are actively fear-mongering.
'People always say, 'Not in my back yard,' ' he said. 'I've never seen what I'm seeing today with people outside of the development who don't live here and don't understand how unhealthy the conditions are here.'
6 This building would be replaced under the plan.
fultonelliottchelsea
He cited constantly broken elevators, lead, mold and a lack of working heat and water as common occurrences.
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'I always invite [the outside neighbors] to come live with us so you can see how bad it is,' he said.
Acevedo said the NIMBYs are specifically targeting tenants who are behind on their rent and at risk of eviction to get behind their cause. Law-Gisiko and Andre denied the claim.
It's expected that 6% of the residents may have to relocate off the site, but 94% will be able to remain in their current apartment until their new home is ready, officials said.
The plan laid out by the city works like a puzzle, moving residents into empty apartments and demo-ing two buildings at a time.
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6 The current complex is rife with building-neglect issues, some residents say.
Gregory P. Mango
Allen Roskoff, a Democratic activist and fixture of Chelsea, lives directly across from the houses. He welcomes the project and thinks other neighbors are getting involved because they don't want noisy construction.
'[The neighbors] are telling people they have to stop so that they don't have to live down the street from or listen to the construction,' he said.
'This is being done for the building, it's not being done for you — I think it's insulting to people who live there,' he said.
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Sources close to the opposition have indicated they think Acevado is getting paid by Related to speak positively about the project to neighbors — which he denies.
Andre and Law-Gisiko have both publicly testified also against 'City of Yes,' Mayor Eric Adams' housing plan that encourages new construction to address the Big Apple's housing shortage through zoning changes.
'They say they're for affordable housing — so why fight a plan that actually builds it?' Acevado said.
But Andre fired back, 'I want to stress that this is not NIMBY-ism.
'I believe the best hedge against bad development is good/better development,' she said. 'If this project were about building 100% affordable housing on the Chelsea campuses, we would all stand down. What we object to is the idea that 70% of the campus is being turned into market-rate housing, leaving the NYCHA tenants segregated into three 38-story tall towers that will overwhelm the low-rise neighborhood on Ninth Avenue.'
A NYCHA rep said that since 2019, residents at the NYCHA complex have participated in 'unprecedented, detailed and collaborative meetings and workshops' on the buildings' infrastructure needs.
'Throughout this six-year engagement process, residents have overwhelmingly made their voices heard, and themselves have outlined a plan that not only addresses over $900 million in mounting physical needs at the developments, but creates a more equitable living experience for NYCHA residents in Chelsea, inclusive of modern amenities and accessibility features, while maintaining their rights and protections,' the representative said.
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