Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined residents Thursday to celebrate the reopening of the development’s senior, community and child care centers.

Renovated community spaces are reopening for nearly 5,000 residents at Edenwald Houses, NYCHA’s largest development in the Bronx.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined residents Thursday to celebrate the reopening of the development’s senior, community and child care centers.

The senior center, closed for 25 years, now bears the name of longtime Edenwald Tenant Association president Walter J. McNeill, who helped lead the effort to restore it.

“But I didn’t do it alone. I had people with me and it was a long fight, but it was worth it,” McNeill said.

Curtis + Ginsberg Architects was the architect and lead designer of the project.

The center features a commercial kitchen, computer lab and gathering space, with meals and transportation support provided by Bronx nonprofit R.A.I.N.

The upgrades are part of a $783 million renovation through NYCHA’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together, or PACT, program. News 12 toured renovated apartments featuring new windows, freshly painted walls and new cabinets.

Under PACT, NYCHA retains ownership while private partners renovate and manage the property.

Asked by News 12 about accountability for renovation quality and management, Mamdani said, “With every promise comes accountability. And we will all work together to ensure that’s exactly what we’re delivering.”

The mayor also said forums will give residents opportunities to provide feedback after the conversion.

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Deputy Mayor Leila Bozorg, New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt, development partners and residents cut the ribbon on the reopening of the community, child care and senior centers at Edenwald Houses in the Bronx. The reopening marks a major milestone in the comprehensive renovation of Edenwald Houses, NYCHA’s largest development in the Bronx and third-largest in the city.

The renovations, completed by Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) partners Camber Property Group, Henge Development and SAA | EVI, include upgrades to heating and cooling, electrical and mechanical systems, as well as new flooring, walls, windows and carpentry. The senior center, which had been closed for more than 20 years, has been restored, reopened and named in honor of longtime Edenwald Tenant Association President Walter J. McNeill.

“The residents of Edenwald Houses, led by Mr. McNeill, have spent years fighting for the homes and community space they deserve. Now, we are delivering. These renovated centers will give residents places to gather, access services and build community, while honoring a leader who has dedicated his life to fighting for his neighbors,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This is part of our broader commitment to invest in public housing and ensure every NYCHA resident has the home and community they deserve.”

“The reopening of these important community spaces for Edenwald residents has been a long time coming, and is just a small piece of the work we are doing every day to invest in NYCHA communities and build a more affordable city. Through projects like the modernization of Edenwald Houses, we can deliver high-quality, renovated homes to NYCHA residents in the Bronx and across New York City,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning. “Congratulations to the residents and the project teams who have made this day a reality!”

“NYCHA communities deserve welcoming spaces where residents of all ages can connect, grow, and thrive,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “The reopening of the Edenwald Senior Center — named in honor of longtime Tenant Association President Walter J. McNeill in recognition of his dedication to this community — and the revitalization of the Community Center represent an important part of the broader investment in Edenwald Houses through the PACT program, ensuring that residents benefit not only from modernized homes and buildings, but also from the community resources that enrich their daily lives. We are proud to deliver these renewed spaces in partnership with Mayor Mamdani, our development partners, and the dedicated residents who call Edenwald Houses home.”

“After 25 years of fighting to bring our senior center back, I am grateful to celebrate the ribbon-cutting at Edenwald’s community and senior centers—especially knowing how many of our seniors sheltered at home and suffered alone during COVID while the senior center was closed,” said Walter J. McNeill, Edenwald Tenant Association President. “As the largest NYCHA development in the Bronx, Edenwald deserves a place where our seniors can gather, stay connected, and be cared for, and seeing them regain that space is the proudest moment of my 33 years as Tenant Association president. I thank Camber, the PACT Partners, management, the general contractor, and our elected officials—especially Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who contributed so much to the senior center—for making this transformation possible.”

The renovated senior center will feature a commercial kitchen, event space and computer lab along with expanded social services, including meals and transportation support from Regional Aid for Interim Needs (R.A.I.N.), a Bronx-based nonprofit. The community center, operated by Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, will provide youth programming, a new storefront and improved accessibility. The Susan Wagner Day Care received a modernized outdoor play area, new flooring and plumbing, accessibility upgrades and full lead paint abatement.

These center reopenings are part of comprehensive renovations at Edenwald Houses, which serves nearly 5,000 residents across 2,035 apartments. Shaped by resident input and made possible through the PACT program, the broader modernization includes lead paint removal and mold remediation, mechanical system upgrades, heating and cooling improvements, enhanced security, new apartment interiors, free development-wide WiFi, extensive landscaping and outdoor amenities, among other investments outlined in the Edenwald Community Plan.

NYCHA and a resident review committee selected the PACT partner team in 2021. Financing closed and construction began in 2023.

Through PACT, NYCHA can access additional and more flexible federal funding to support comprehensive repairs and modernization while improving property management. The program has brought 170 NYCHA developments into predevelopment, construction or completed renovations, representing nearly $17 billion in capital repairs. NYCHA retains ownership of developments in the PACT program, and residents retain their rights, including permanent affordability and succession rights.

In his first budget, Mayor Mamdani made the largest City investment in NYCHA in recent history. His administration’s housing plan, Block by Block, includes plans to address NYCHA’s major capital needs, reboot the Authority as a public developer, strengthen resident voice in decision-making and support economic mobility for NYCHA residents.

“Thousands of Edenwald residents can once again connect through the newly reopened community, childcare, and senior centers, updated as part of critical infrastructure and modernization efforts across the campus. Members of the Edenwald community will benefit from this investment, as we know that shared spaces make for stronger communities. Thank you to the New York City Housing Authority, Permanent Affordability Commitment Together, the Mayor, and our leaders at City Hall for their efforts to reconnect this thriving community,” said U.S. Representative George Latimer.

“The reopening of the Edenwald Community and Senior Centers is more than just the opening of its doors,” said New York State Assembly Speaker Cark E. Heastie. “This day marks a significant moment in history for the residents of this development, bringing hopes and aspirations to life. As renovations continue across the development, we will witness the power of public-private partnerships that assist everyday New Yorkers in navigating the affordable housing market. Edenwald, a landmark in the Northeast Bronx, will continue to undergo modernization, system upgrades, and more. This investment is a win for residents, the community, and the city. I would like to express my gratitude to my partners in government who helped move this project forward, Mayor Mamdani, Senator Bailey, and Councilman Riley, and a special thank you to Edenwald Tenant Association President, Walter McNeill for his unwavering dedication to his community and beyond.”

“Reopening Edenwald’s Community and Senior Centers is a long overdue investment in the health, safety, and dignity of NYCHA residents,” said Senator Jamaal T. Bailey. “Providing Bronxites access to essential senior services, youth programming, social services, and modernized living spaces is necessary in the success of our neighbors. There have been far too many delays in this infrastructure but by completing these repairs we are providing necessary and basic community amenities. I thank Mayor Mamdani, Deputy Mayor Leila Bozorg, New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt, my colleagues in government, and community leaders taking action to revitalize NYCHA developments across our city and ensure working families have resources.”

“The long-awaited reopening of the Edenwald Community Senior Center and Community Center marks a significant milestone for our Northeast Bronx community and our Edenwald Houses residents who have visited these centers for generations,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “For so many in our borough, community centers are the most accessible places to exercise, learn new skills, build community, relieve stress, and participate in programs that support long‑term success. With the completed renovations, made possible in part by invaluable resident input, these centers are now fully modernized, featuring amenities that will enhance the experiences of both our youth and older adults while honoring the legacy of our late great Tenant Association President, Walter J. McNeil. Thank you to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Deputy Mayor Leila Bozorg, New York City Housing Authority CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt, Permanent Affordability Commitment Together partners Camber Property Group, Henge Development, and SAA | EVI, R.A.I.N. Homecare, Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, and the Edenwald Tenant Association, who all played a pivotal role in the completion of these projects.”

“Congratulations to Edenwald Houses on the reopening and renovation of our local senior center and community center. These spaces help meet our most basic needs while bringing neighbors together. These are places where residents can access support, build meaningful connections, and strengthen the bonds that make our community thrive. Whether you’re a teenager, or a seenager, I am excited to welcome you back! Thank you to all the community partners who made this happen,” said Council Member Kevin C. Riley.

“The $8.1 million renovations to the Edenwald Community and Senior Centers are an important component of the larger $783 million PACT modernization of the development, extending investment beyond residents’ apartments to the community spaces that bring people together,” said NYCHA Executive Vice President and Chief Real Estate Officer Heather Beck. “Through our partnership with Edenwald residents, we were able to prioritize the repairs to these community spaces and bring the Senior Center back online after decades of obsolescence. We thank the Mamdani administration; our PACT partners at Camber Property Group, Henge Development, and SAA | EVI; and most importantly the Edenwald Tenant Association and community, for their ongoing trust and partnership in making this vision a reality.”

“The newly renovated Edenwald Senior Center will offer a community space for residents to receive vital services and gather with other residents of the Edenwald Houses,” said Rick Gropper, Founding Principal at Camber Property Group. “Spaces like these are crucial gathering spaces for senior residents, creating a place to connect with neighbors and gain access to on-site programming and resources that drastically improve the resident experience. Thank you to Mayor Mamdani and our partners for helping to revitalize this gathering space for the seniors of the Edenwald community.”

“The transformation of Edenwald has always been about more than renovating apartments. It’s about meaningfully improving residents’ quality of life and ensuring they have access to the services and resources they need within their own community,” said Ayanna Oliver-Taylor, founder and principal of Henge Development. “After more than two decades, reopening the senior center restores an important part of community life at Edenwald and responds directly to a need residents identified throughout the planning process. Mr. McNeil’s leadership and advocacy have been instrumental throughout this process, and naming the center in his honor is a fitting recognition of his decades of service and commitment to the Edenwald community.”

“Completing the substantial renovations at Edenwald is our starting point, our everyday mission and goal will be to support our residents by bringing resources and opportunities that allow them to thrive,” said Ernst Valery of EVI Equity.

“We couldn’t be more excited for this major milestone to be realized and celebrated. A great moment for the community and residents of Edenwald,” said David Alexander of SAA.

“Older adults centers are crucial for providing meals, critical services, and social connection for us as we age and keeping older New Yorkers in the communities they built.” said Allison Nickerson, Executive Director at LiveOn NY. “We’re thrilled to see that this center is available for the community again after 25 years, and applaud the city for using everything in its toolbox to ensure that the affordable housing and community spaces we need to age in dignity will be available to us all.”

Priced around $204,000 on average for households earning up to 80% of Area Median Income, the new homes sit in two four-story, all-electric buildings, alongside 117 senior rentals.

Owning a home in New York City can feel like a fantasy.

In Soundview, it just became a reality for 58 Bronx households.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced on October 14 that Stevenson Square Phase I is complete.

The $53 million development created 58 brand-new co-op homes for buyers earning up to 80% of Area Median Income, at an average sales price of about $204,000.

That’s a fraction of what a co-op usually costs in the five boroughs.

It’s also only the beginning: this phase is the first piece of a $1 billion plan to remake the Stevenson Commons campus.

By the numbers

• 58 co-op homes for sale, in two new four-story buildings
• 117 affordable rental apartments for seniors 62 and older
• ~$204,000 average sales price
• 80% of Area Median Income is the top income limit for buyers
• $53 million total cost of the homeownership phase
• 700+ new affordable homes planned across the full redevelopment, per HPD

What’s inside

The co-ops sit at 1843 and 1847 Seward Avenue, in two new four-story buildings designed by WXY Architecture + Urban Design.

The 58 homes break down like this:

• One-bedrooms: 11 homes, starting at $145,632
• Two-bedrooms: 31 homes, starting at $189,000
• Three-bedrooms: 16 homes, starting at $191,500

Those were the starting prices in the 2025 lottery. Overall, prices ranged from about $145,600 to $264,500, depending on unit size and income tier.

These aren’t bare-bones starter homes. Every unit gets a dishwasher and an in-unit washer and dryer, which is a luxury in many NYC apartments at any price. The buildings also have landscaped front and rear yards and bike storage.

Next door, the six-story building at 1841 Seward Avenue holds 117 rental apartments for seniors 62 and older earning up to 50% of AMI. That lets longtime Soundview residents stay in the neighborhood as they age, while first-time buyers move in alongside them.

From Mitchell-Lama to Stevenson Square

Stevenson Commons has been part of New York’s affordable housing story for half a century. The 948-unit campus was built in the 1970s under Mitchell-Lama, the state program that has created middle-income housing since the 1950s.

Camber Property Group bought the property in 2017. The developer, with architecture firm WXY, drew up a master plan to add new homes on underused land around the existing complex.

The result is a $1 billion, three-phase plan across six new buildings, mostly on the western half of the block:

1. Phase I (complete): 58 co-ops and 117 senior rentals on Seward Avenue. It broke ground in March 2024.
2. Phases II and III (planned): more affordable rental homes. HPD says the full plan will bring more than 700 new affordable homes to the Bronx.

The wider campus is also set to include about 30,000 square feet of community space, tennis courts, a walking path and a sensory playground.

Who paid for it

The low prices come from a large stack of public funding for the homeownership buildings:

• About $21.2 million from the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s Open Door program
• $11.6 million from New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s Affordable Homeownership Opportunity Program
• $3.8 million in capital funding from Council Member Amanda Farías, former Council Member Ruben Diaz Sr. and former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Open Door is HPD’s program for building affordable co-ops and condos for moderate-income buyers. The subsidy keeps sales prices low, and the homes come with resale restrictions so they stay affordable for the next buyer.

Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County partnered on the homeownership side. HPD also financed the senior rental building.

The buildings are all-electric and Enterprise Green Communities certified. They have a solar array, energy-efficient heating and cooling, and efficient appliances, which should help keep monthly bills down for new owners.

“Every New Yorker deserves the opportunity to put down roots in a community they love,” Governor Hochul said.

Can you still apply?

Not for these 58 homes. The Phase I co-ops went through the NYC Housing Connect lottery in summer 2025, and applications closed on August 25, 2025.

Here’s how that lottery worked, which is a good guide for future Open Door sales:

• Income: households earning 70% or 80% of AMI could apply, with income and asset limits.
• Down payment: 5% of the purchase price, held in the buyer’s account for three months before the eligibility appointment.
• Local preference: 20% of units were set aside for residents of Bronx Community District 9.
• Primary residence: buyers must live in the home and pay monthly maintenance.

Want in on the next one? Create a profile on NYC Housing Connect and check listings regularly for upcoming Open Door co-ops and Stevenson Square’s future rental phases. For questions, call 311.

Life in Soundview

The new homes come with a lot of the neighborhood built in. Stevenson Commons already has a supermarket and the Stevenson Family Health Center, which offers primary care, dental, behavioral health, a pharmacy and social services.

Green space is close by too. Soundview Park and Pugsley Creek Park are both within walking distance.

Getting into Manhattan is easier than many people think. Residents can reach the subway, and the Soundview NYC Ferry terminal runs boats to East 34th Street and Wall Street.

“Today’s ribbon cutting is an important milestone, but it is only the beginning,” said Council Member Amanda Farías.