New York, NY
Following a year of meticulous planning and close collaboration with resident leaders, NYCHA announced the selection of a development team spearheaded by BFC Partners Development LLC, alongside CB Emmanuel Realty LLC, a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), and the non-profit Catholic Homes New York. This experienced partnership will undertake extensive repairs across 574 apartments within 14 buildings at the West Brighton campus. Leveraging their expertise, BFC Partners and CB Emmanuel will also serve as the general contractors for the project, ensuring seamless execution and quality workmanship. Pinnacle City Living will assume the role of day-to-day property manager once the property transitions to Project-Based Section 8, ensuring long-term stability and professional management.
The selection of bfc partners and the team followed a rigorous community engagement process, initiated in the fall of 2021. A resident review committee, supported by technical advisor Censere Consulting through the PACT Resource Team, played a central role in evaluating proposals and conducting interviews with potential partner teams. Their insights and priorities were paramount in the final decision, ensuring the chosen team aligned with the community’s vision for the future of West Brighton.
“Today marks a pivotal moment for the over 1,400 New Yorkers at West Brighton who will soon experience the safe and high-quality homes they rightfully deserve, thanks to this vital partnership and the PACT program,” stated New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “The residents of West Brighton have voiced their priorities for these essential repairs, and this collaboration will deliver cleaner, safer, and more welcoming homes as a direct result. PACT’s consistent success in delivering tangible improvements for NYCHA residents across the city is undeniable, and we are thrilled to welcome West Brighton to this growing family.”
Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz emphasized the tenant-driven nature of the PACT program, stating, “PACT partnerships are a proven and powerful mechanism to uplift the conditions of our public housing. The Adams administration has championed a tenant-centric approach, working hand-in-hand with NYCHA residents to empower them to shape decisions that directly impact the future of their housing developments. We congratulate the resident leaders at West Brighton on their insightful selection of BFC Partners, CB Emmanuel Realty, Catholic Homes New York, and Pinnacle City Living.”
NYCHA Interim CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt further highlighted the significance of the PACT program in addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges. “PACT remains one of our most impactful and successful strategies for attracting large-scale investment into NYCHA properties and tackling the comprehensive repair needs that have accumulated due to aging infrastructure and decades of underinvestment,” said Bova-Hiatt. “We are delighted to join resident leaders today in celebrating this crucial step towards transformative renovations at West Brighton. The selection of the PACT partner team is a key milestone in this journey.”
Shekina Butler, President of the West Brighton Tenant Association, voiced the community’s anticipation for the project. “West Brighton Houses are in dire need and long overdue for the comprehensive repairs that the PACT program provides,” Butler stated. “The quality of life for West Brighton residents has unfortunately declined over the years, and now it is time to celebrate the positive changes on the horizon. While this has been a lengthy and demanding process, we are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of NYCHA and Censere Consulting in helping us reach this point – the selection of a partner team that we believe will genuinely address the needs of West Brighton residents.”
NYCHA Executive Vice President for Real Estate Development Jonathan Gouveia added, “After closely listening to and understanding the priorities of resident leaders at West Brighton, we are thrilled to make today’s announcement. The selected PACT partners, including BFC Partners, have demonstrated a clear understanding of the critical importance of ongoing collaboration with residents to deliver transformational investments to their community. We eagerly anticipate continuing our work together.”
The extensive resident engagement process revealed key priorities for the West Brighton community, including addressing site-wide waste disposal and security concerns. Residents also expressed a strong desire for upgraded community spaces with enhanced social services and improved heating and hot water systems. Reactivating outdoor open spaces and shared recreational areas was another prominent request.
The revitalization plan directly addresses these priorities through strategic investments in public spaces and community safety, landscaping enhancements, and building entryway improvements. The partner team will innovatively utilize the campus’s sloped grounds to create stormwater capture zones and establish new community gardens, fostering environmental sustainability and resident engagement. Existing community rooms will be fully renovated, restoring their functionality as vibrant hubs for community programs, including an on-site pantry and nutrition center.
Furthermore, both West Brighton I & II developments will undergo comprehensive building security and access control upgrades. A complete overhaul of essential building systems is planned, encompassing heating, cooling, water and plumbing, ventilation, and elevator systems. Every apartment will be thoroughly renovated, featuring new kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, windows, paint, doors, and other enhancements to significantly improve resident comfort and quality of life.
Responding directly to the requests of resident leaders, the transformation plan includes the demolition of two vacant bungalows at West Brighton II, paving the way for the construction of new affordable housing units. This new development will be funded in partnership with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). A community planning workshop, conducted by NYCHA and HPD in November 2021, gathered resident feedback on the design and programming of the new building. Guided by this feedback, the bfc partners-led team has committed to providing West Brighton residents with a new, expanded senior center, alongside other vital programs and amenities within the new building. Resident collaboration will continue to be central to the design process for the new building, with construction anticipated to commence after the completion of the primary rehabilitation work.
HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. emphasized the broader impact of the project, stating, “Life is about to be transformed and significantly improved for the more than 1,400 New Yorkers residing at NYCHA’s West Brighton developments. Beyond the essential repairs delivered through PACT, HPD is committed to working alongside NYCHA, residents, and the development team, including BFC Partners, to create even more affordable housing opportunities and a dedicated senior center on underutilized NYCHA land. We are proud to collaborate with partners who share our unwavering mission to deliver safe, affordable housing for all New Yorkers.”
HDC President Eric Enderlin echoed this sentiment, “Today’s announcement represents the latest milestone in our collective efforts to deliver comprehensive building improvements and enhanced social services to the residents of West Brighton I & II. Congratulations to the development team, including BFC Partners, and thank you to all our partners for your dedication to bringing much-needed investment, guaranteed affordability, and lasting tenant protections to New York City’s public housing residents.”
Joseph Ferrara, Principal at BFC Partners, expressed his firm’s commitment to the project, stating, “We are deeply honored to be selected as a PACT partner for West Brighton I & II. Our firm has strong roots in Staten Island and a long-standing commitment to the preservation and new construction of affordable housing. The opportunity to preserve this vital housing stock for generations to come is one we are incredibly grateful for.”
R. Christopher Bramwell Jr., Managing Partner at CB Emmanuel, highlighted the MBE’s role in the project, “CB Emmanuel is excited to be selected as co-developer for the West Brighton I & II portfolio. As an MBE co-developer, we are dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for BIPOC vendors to participate in the renovation and redevelopment of this campus. We look forward to establishing a strong presence alongside BFC Partners and Catholic Homes in Staten Island.”
Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, emphasized the holistic approach of the partnership, “We are delighted that Catholic Homes New York and Catholic Charities of Staten Island are partnering with BFC Partners and CB Emmanuel on this important project for West Brighton residents. This initiative will actively engage residents, comprehensively renovate apartments, create new housing options, and provide crucial supportive social services to enrich the lives of families living there and in the broader community. This partnership exemplifies Catholic Charities’ commitment to participating in effective initiatives that preserve and expand the availability of affordable housing for New Yorkers, ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to a decent place to live at rents they can afford.”
BFC Partners: Leaders in Affordable Housing and Community Revitalization
BFC Partners brings extensive experience in both affordable and mixed-income housing development, encompassing both rehabilitation and new construction projects. Their proven track record includes successful NYCHA infill and senior development new construction projects, such as Stapleton Seniors in Staten Island and Stonewall House in Brooklyn, as well as the rehabilitation of over 2,200 units while residents remained in place. With deep ties to the North Shore community of Staten Island, BFC Partners, founded in 1984, is firmly committed to revitalizing communities and enhancing the lives of residents and neighbors alike.
CB Emmanuel Realty LLC, a local MBE development firm established in 2005, brings expertise from over 3,000 units of tenant-in-place rehabilitation projects across the New York metropolitan area, ensuring efficient and effective construction management at West Brighton II.
Catholic Homes New York, a non-profit initiative spearheaded by Catholic Charities and the Archdiocese of New York, focuses on developing affordable housing for families and seniors throughout the region. Through partnerships with the Association of New York Catholic Homes and the New York Institute for Human Development, Catholic Homes New York continues a decades-long legacy of building strong, sustainable communities through affordable housing creation and preservation.
The PACT program’s transition to the Project-Based Section 8 program unlocks crucial funding for designated partners like BFC Partners to undertake comprehensive repairs and ensure long-term affordability. With this latest designation, the PACT program now encompasses 138 NYCHA developments and over 37,000 apartments in various stages of engagement, pre-development, construction, or post-repair. NYCHA aims to include 62,000 apartments in the PACT program, extending the benefits of comprehensive renovations, building upgrades, enhanced property management, and social services to over 142,000 residents. The New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) plays a vital role as the key financing partner for PACT, providing financial resources and ongoing asset management and compliance.
About BFC Partners
BFC Partners is a full-service real estate development firm dedicated to creating community-first, urban development solutions. Since 1984, BFC Partners has been a leader in developing high-quality affordable, mixed-income, and market-rate housing. The firm is committed to revitalizing communities and improving the lives of residents and neighbors. As recognized leaders in the field, government, financial, and community partners consistently seek out BFC Partners to initiate new programs and undertake complex projects. For further information, please visit: https://www.bfcnyc.com/.
About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest public housing authority in North America, was established in 1935 with the mission of providing decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. NYCHA provides homes for approximately 1 in 16 New Yorkers, managing over 177,000 apartments within 335 housing developments. NYCHA serves over 339,000 residents through the conventional public housing program (Section 9), over 29,000 residents in developments converted to PACT/RAD, and over 92,000 families through federal rent subsidies (the Section 8 Leased Housing Program). NYCHA also connects residents with opportunities in financial empowerment, business development, career advancement, and educational programs. With a housing portfolio spanning all five boroughs, NYCHA functions as a city within a city.
| CONTACT: | Barbara Wagner | Elana Bodow |
|---|---|---|
| Barbara Wagner Communications | Barbara Wagner Communications | |
| (917) 751-4387 | (315) 440-7554 | |
| [email protected] | [email protected] |
SOURCE BFC Partners
