HARLEM — A 14-story Harlem building for seniors will remain affordable for the next 40 years after a $38.9 million renovation, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday.
The 200-unit Philip's Senior House complex at 220 W. 133rd St. between Frederick Douglass Boulevard and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard sat nearly half vacant for years due to a lack of repairs and maintenance, state officials said.
Blue Sea Development Company, LLC received $22.6 million in tax exempt bonds and almost $3 million of subsidy and low-income tax housing credits to repair the 41-year-old building, which is part of the Mitchell-Lama affordable housing program.
Now it has a new roof, new heat and hot water systems, a new electrical system, new windows and improved elevators. The kitchens and bathrooms of each apartment received new appliances, plumbing and lighting.
The building's common spaces were also transformed to encourage interaction among residents and a new community garden is in the works.
"All New Yorkers, especially our seniors, deserve safe, decent and affordable places to call home," said Cuomo.
"By upgrading Mitchell-Lama developments like the Philip’s Senior House, we not only improve the lives of hundreds of residents but also further strengthen families and support surrounding communities."
Darryl C. Towns, commissioner and CEO of New York State Homes and Community Renewal, the state agency that provided the tax financing for the renovation, said the building had been "ravaged by time."
"It's wonderful to see Philip's Senior House fully occupied again with improvements that will enhance the lives of our seniors," said Joan B. Browne, president of the St. Philip's Church Housing Corporation.
Sitting in the building's garden, a group of senior residents said Tuesday they were largely pleased with the project.
"I love it. I have a nice view and the building is very clean," said Mary Strayhorn who has lived in the building for a year.
"For seniors, this is good. You can see that they are trying," said Loreida Montanez, 65, a retired factory worker.
Some seniors had some small complaints about the upgrades.
Marlow Lorris, 73, a retired chauffeur, said he was concerned about the quality of some of the appliances, paint and the cabinets used in the makeover. "I'm hoping it'll last a long time," he said.
Douglas Sullivan, 65, said he was disappointed that the elevators were just refurbished and not completely replaced given the amount of money spent on the project and because they still sometimes have mechanical problems.
But with average Manhattan rents hitting $4,000-per-month, Harlem has seen Manhattan's largest yearly increase in average rent, a 13.7 percent jump from last April to $2,528 a month, according to a report by MNS.
This is a concern for many long-time Harlem residents and senior citizens who are worried about being displaced by rapid gentrification.
"It's not easy to get a decent place where no one bothers you," said Strayhorn.
Sullivan called the building's location, within walking distance of St. Nicholas Park, Harlem Hospital and the shopping of 125th Street, ideal for seniors.
"We are in a perfect situation. It's a whole lot better being here than the projects," Sullivan said referring to public housing.
That's one of the reasons this project was so important, said Harlem Assemblyman Keith Wright, chair of the Assembly Housing Committee.
“This project celebrates what is best about Harlem — her people," Wright said in a statement.
"Together, we were able to rescue the viability of a great part of our neighborhood’s tradition by taking care of the seniors who have helped make Harlem great."
