FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 8, 2018
MEDIA CONTACT: Jesse Towsen JTowsen@BenKallos.com Mobile: 212-858-0837
Ground Broken on $2.1 Million Upgrade and Renovation to Senior Center and Youth Center at Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center
Council Member Ben Kallos and the New York City Housing Authority teamed up to provide the Funding for this project
Upper East Side, NY– Today, construction began on the $2.1 million renovation and upgrade of Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center’s senior center kitchen and youth center facilities. Located in the Holmes Towers at 415 E 93rd Street, the Isaacs Center is a non-for profit organization with a more than 50-year history of serving the needs of over 6,000 children and low-income families, out-of-school and out-of-work youth, and older adults annually. The senior center, which provides meals and critical safety nets to approximately 150 seniors daily, is being upgraded, after being in need of repair for over five years. The Youth Center, which provides after school programming and workforce development services to hundreds of children and young adults, is also receiving a much needed upgrade to its restroom facilities.
The senior center kitchen and youth center facilities that will be remodeled, primarily serve seniors and residents of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Isaacs/Holmes developments. While the funding for this project was designated in previous years, renewed attention to citywide capital improvements to NYCHA facilities has allowed this project to move forward now. Construction is expected to be completed in February 2019, with full completion and use of the facility scheduled to be available by July 31, 2019.
Council Member Kallos’ funding allocation to this project was $680,000 in FY 2015 and $350,000 in FY 2017 for a comprehensive upgrade to the senior center and youth center. The remaining funding came from NYCHA and the City Council, including former Council Members who represented the neighborhood.
The scope of the work includes, but is not limited to:
Isaacs Houses – replacement of existing kitchen equipment, new kitchen floor and ceiling, and mechanical upgrades.
Holmes Towers – complete bathroom renovation, replacement of plumbing fixtures, new LED lighting fixtures, and new doors and frames.
“The Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center is truly one of our community’s cornerstones,” said Council Member Ben Kallos. I could not think of a better way to put this money to good use in a way that will benefit the everyday lives of my constituents. I am looking forward to the work being completed and happy for those who will reap the benefits. Thank you to the New York City Housing Authority for their collaboration and in this project, without them, it would not be possible.”
“Feeding older adults and families in need, as well as providing safe and engaging places for children to learn, grow and play have been central to the mission of the Isaacs Center, since its founding. Renovations to our senior center kitchen and youth center facilities are a significant win for this community, and speak to the City’s renewed focus on critical investments in public housing residents. I thank Council Member Ben Kallos and NYCHA for their commitment to the Isaacs Center and driving this project forward,” said Gregory J. Morris, President and Executive Director of the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center.”
“It’s long overdue. The more ample space will improve the food quality, make more room for the kitchen staff to work, and make it easier to keep clean,” said Jose Guavera, Isaacs Center, Senior Center Member.”
“We thank Council Member Kallos for supporting the public housing in his district with these kitchen, bathroom and lighting upgrades for the Isaacs Houses and Holmes Towers community centers,” said NYCHA Executive Vice President for Capital Projects Deborah Goddard. “As we strive to provide improved resident quality of life, the work starting today will support generations of residents through better quality community facilities.”
“The Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center has put City funding to use where it will help its users most: making improvements to their kitchen and bathrooms and addressing accessibility issues,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “These investments will benefit the Isaacs community for years to come.” “The Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center has served our community for over 50 years, bringing much needed services to over 6,000 children and low-income families, out-of-school and out-of-work youth, and older adults annually. The $2.1 million renovation and upgrade is much needed and well deserved. Many thanks to Council Member Ben Kallos and NYCHA for providing the crucial funds for these important projects,” said State Senator José M. Serrano.
“The services provided by the Stanley Isaac Neighborhood Center have been improving the lives of youth, families, and older adults, including the isolated and homebound elderly, for over 50 years. I thank Councilmember Kallos and NYCHA for their support for this vital community institution. This funding will help Stanley Isaacs continue to meet the needs of the diverse community it serves,” said State Senator Liz Krueger.
“Ensuring resources are available for our most vulnerable populations is key to our success as a community. I commend the dynamic leadership of the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center for strengthening those resources and for providing opportunity to those that need it in our NYCHA communities. We are eagerly anticipating the fruits of this labor and continuing the important work of opening doors for all of our constituents and neighbors. Congratulations to all parties who made this a reality for our residents, said Assembly Member Robert Rodriguez.”
“I am proud to have voted in the New York State Assembly for a 2019 budget that invests a record $550 million to improve the quality of living conditions for NYCHA residents and design/build legislation to expedite repairs to NYCHA facilities. I commend Council Member Ben Kallos for his work with the New York City Housing Authority for this momentous renovation and upgrade of Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center’s senior center kitchen and youth center facilities,” said Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seabright.