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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 12, 2024
CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov | (212) 306-3322

NYCHA Announces Design-Build Team for $216 Million Modernization of Apartments at Two Brooklyn Developments, Benefitting Over 3,700 Residents

Following NYCHA Board approval on June 26, NYCHA can now move forward with executing a contract with Mega/Technico Joint Venture to renovate 1,668 apartments at Wyckoff Gardens and Gowanus Houses

This marks the next step in delivering key renovations funded by the 2022 Gowanus Neighborhood Plan

NEW YORK – The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) today announced the selection of the design-build team, Mega/Technico Joint Venture, that will conduct a $216 million renovation of apartments at Wyckoff Gardens and Gowanus Houses in Brooklyn, benefitting over 3,700 residents. Following NYCHA Board approval on June 26, 2024, the selection of the design-build team and project scope for each development — which together encompass 1,668 apartments — marks a major milestone in delivering holistic repairs that were funded as part of the Gowanus Rezoning agreement. Enacted in 2022, the agreement allocates funds for interior apartment component replacements. Residents of the two developments have been involved in robust engagement efforts since early 2022 and will provide valuable input to the selected design-build team that will inform the finalization of the design process, including finishes, colors, and other design elements. Board approval enables NYCHA to move to formally execute a contract with the design-build team in the coming weeks.

“These planned renovations are an investment in enhanced quality of life for over 3,700 Brooklyn residents at Wyckoff Gardens and Gowanus Houses,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “I appreciate the partnership between residents, NYCHA, and the newly selected design-build team to develop a plan for improvements that thoughtfully incorporates residents’ perspectives on their community’s needs and future.”

“The selection of the design-build team for Wyckoff Gardens and Gowanus Houses brings us one step closer to successfully executing renovations that will improve the lives of thousands of residents at these two Brooklyn developments,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “We're thrilled to work alongside the design-build team to incorporate critical feedback on project scope, planning, and overall design from the residents who will directly benefit from these renovations.”

“We’re very pleased to be promptly moving into the design-build phase of the major renovation projects at Gowanus Houses and Wyckoff Gardens, as part of the broader rezoning efforts for the neighborhood,” said NYCHA Chief Asset and Capital Management Officer Shaan Mavani. “The project delivery model we are using optimizes project timelines, cost, and quality, ensuring these properties are significantly renovated while minimizing disruption and inconvenience to residents."

“We’re thrilled to have received Board approval of the design-build team for Wyckoff Gardens and Gowanus Houses,” said NYCHA Vice President of Comprehensive Modernization Michele Basic-Moore. “The selected team shares our goals of improving the overall quality of life for the residents of these two developments and keeping them engaged as partners throughout the planning, design, and construction processes for their homes.”

“For over two years, we’ve met with NYCHA’s team every month. What started as just a vision has now become a reality,” said Wyckoff Gardens Tenant Association President Valerie Bell. “The engagement has been real, and whatever they said they would do, they've done. I appreciate the transparency and the inclusion of residents throughout the entire process. This is great news for Wyckoff Gardens, and I know the residents are thrilled. Our homes will see significant improvements. This project represents a huge investment in our community, and we are all looking forward to the positive changes it will bring to our daily lives.”

“When the initial talks about Gowanus rezoning started years ago, we had to advocate tirelessly to ensure NYCHA residents were included and not just pushed aside,” said Gowanus Tenant Association President Theresa Davis. “I worked in coordination with the Gowanus Neighborhood Coalition for Justice to help secure funding for NYCHA through the Gowanus Rezoning Plan. The selection of the design-build team is a culmination of all the hard work and dedication we put in to make sure this became a reality. NYCHA’s commitment to creating a scope inclusive of the residents is a win for Gowanus. They’ve listened and worked with us every step of the way. The improvements coming to our community will make a real difference in the daily lives of residents. I hope to continue my work as a leader and tenant committed to helping my community thrive through these transformative changes.”

“The Comprehensive Modernization program is an important and innovative initiative that will facilitate a critical investment in substantial improvements to nearly 1,700 homes across Wyckoff Gardens and Gowanus Houses,” said Mega/Technico Joint Venture (JV) Representatives George Poulon and Steve Aniftos. “Mega/Technico JV takes this responsibility seriously and is fully committed to working collaboratively with the residents, tenant association leaders, and NYCHA to ensure the more than 3,700 people who call these buildings home have the high quality of life they deserve.”

The selection of the design-build team followed a two-step procurement process. The first step was a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) which invited design-build teams to submit their qualifications. This was followed by the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) in July 2023, which targeted a short list of firms with an invitation to submit detailed proposals outlining their approach to the project, including the scope of work, quality of the design, impact on residents, project duration, and cost. The selection committee, including resident representatives, evaluated these proposals to determine which one offered the best value to the respective sites.

The projects will undertake renovations through a single, integrated team, allowing developments to be renovated more quickly, at a better quality, and with better value for money spent. NYCHA is utilizing design-build project delivery, which improves coordination, shortens the procurement process, and ultimately saves money by awarding contracts to single entities for both design and construction work.

Beginning in 2022, efforts have been guided by a robust stakeholder engagement process to identify resident priorities and implement input at the two developments, ensure the compliance-based requirements of the funding, and support continued communication during renovation. NYCHA organized community visioning workshops with residents of Wyckoff Gardens and Gowanus Houses to tailor the scope of work based on feedback from the resident leadership, property management, and local elected officials. Insight gained through these workshops directly informed the RFP issued to the short list of design and construction firms, which ultimately led to the selection of Mega/Technico Joint Venture. NYCHA has also remained actively involved in the Gowanus Oversight Task Force, a diverse and representative group of community volunteer stakeholders that collaborates with New York City agencies to advance the commitments detailed in the Gowanus Neighborhood Plan.

Mega/Technico Joint Venture is comprised of Mega Development, LLC, and Technico Construction Services, Inc. With a combined 55 years of experience in the construction industry, the team has partnered on numerous affordable housing projects and earned notable accolades, such as the 2011 Big Apple Brownfield Award and LEED Gold Certification for the Atlantic Terrace Building. Their notable experience with NYCHA includes significant work on capital projects, such as Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts and Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) projects.

Wyckoff Gardens houses over 1,119 residents living in 529 apartments across three buildings. The projected scope of improvements involves kitchen and bathroom renovations, including kitchen waste line replacement and electrical upgrades, and hazardous material abatement, including the removal of lead-based paint from all apartments.

Gowanus Houses is home to more than 2,604 residents living in 1,139 apartments across 15 buildings. The anticipated scope of work involves kitchen and bathroom renovation; hazardous material abatement, including the full removal of lead-based paint from the apartments; and in-unit heating optimization to improve the delivery of heat in all apartments. Additionally, through New York State funding, Gowanus Houses will receive full elevator replacements.

The removal of environmental hazards, such as lead-based materials and mold, will necessitate the brief, phased temporary relocation of residents of both Wyckoff Gardens and Gowanus Houses to nearby hotels at NYCHA’s expense. Once this work is completed, residents will be able to return to their same apartments — in most cases, within 30 days.

As part of the modernization of Wyckoff Gardens and Gowanus Houses, NYCHA will oversee design and construction, and all residents will remain in the Section 9 public housing program. The design and construction process for these properties is expected to take three to four and a half years.

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About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest public housing authority in North America, was created in 1935 to provide decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. NYCHA is home to 1 in 17 New Yorkers, providing affordable housing to 520,808 authorized residents through public housing and Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) programs as well as Section 8 housing. NYCHA has 177,569 apartments in 2,411 buildings across 335 conventional public housing and PACT developments. In addition, NYCHA connects residents to critical programs and services from external and internal partners, with a focus on economic opportunity, youth, seniors, and social services. With a housing stock that spans all five boroughs, NYCHA is a city within a city.