NYCHA or Not, It's a Nice Upgrade

Listen, I know NYCHA is a horribly run agency. I know no sane person would ever choose to live in NYCHA housing if they didn't get dealt a bad hand. But, I do think it's nice that NYCHA is putting some funds into updated the otherwise dilapidated Morrisania Air Rights Houses.

It's hard to spruce up the projects, I know. It's like the old saying goes, "Put a satin hat on a pig and it's still a pig." But this pig is getting a 10.4 million dollar satin hat.

The further that the Morrisania Houses get from resembling New Jack City (skip to 3:11 for the good stuff), the better it is for the whole nabe. Seriously, if the NYCHA housing in an area is livable and people are afforded a certain level of dignity, I truly believe that the dignity will rub off on the whole hood.

All told the big upgrades will be $10.4 million. Major features in the contracts include:

-The comprehensive upgrade of ground and deck areas situated over the Metro North Railroad tracks.
-Development of a newly acquired lot into recreational open space with paving and athletic surfacing.
-Redesign of play and sitting areas with protective shade structures.
-A new electronic gate access control system for the relocated parking area.
-New security lighting.

-New fencing.
-New steps and new outdoor furnishings consisting of benches, game tables and trash receptacles.

Here's the Press Release from NYCHA for all the nitty gritty details.

~ErLu