La Central opens in the South Bronx

“This administration has made it clear that serving those who need it most will remain a top priority, which is why we’re working to create more supportive housing opportunities for vulnerable New Yorkers. The first phase at La Central pairs 161 new homes for low-income and formerly homeless individuals with invaluable services that will help them get back on solid ground. When all phases are complete, La Central will bring nearly 1,000 new homes and amenities to the heart of the South Bronx, which will only add to the vibrancy of this growing community,“ said HPD Commissioner Louise Carroll. “I thank our development partners for their tremendous work to create more housing for New Yorkers in need, and applaud them for a job well done.”

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Mike Hein said, “The combination of housing and support services gives individuals who have experienced homelessness the best chance at stabilizing and transforming their lives. La Central is a project that reflects the needs of the community and will be a tremendous resource in the Bronx’s Melrose neighborhood. We are pleased to once again partner with Breaking Ground and Comunilife, and congratulate everyone involved in making this project a reality.”

“Wells Fargo is honored to partner with Breaking Ground on another affordable project serving the needs of the people of New York City with the opening of La Central, a truly innovative development that will contribute much-needed affordable supportive housing to the Bronx,” said Alan Wiener, head of Wells Fargo Multifamily Capital. “Wells Fargo is committed to providing financial solutions to support the development of affordable housing in areas where there are the biggest needs, and we are proud to add La Central to the list of affordable housing developments we have helped finance in the Bronx.”

“CSH pledged $1 million in pre-development loans to this mixed-use development for supportive housing residents because it beautifully integrates services with homes for vulnerable New Yorkers into a larger vision for thriving, diverse neighborhoods,” said Jennifer Trepinski, Director of Loan Originations at the Corporation for Supportive Housing. “We were able to provide predevelopment loans for both Breaking Ground and Comunilife’s contributions to the overall project, which then leveraged City-owned land to create affordable and supportive spaces people will now be able to call home.”

Breaking Ground’s supportive housing residence features 161 units – 97 units for formerly homeless individuals and persons living with HIV/AIDS, 63 units for low-income working adults making at or below 60% of the Area Median Income, and one superintendent unit. The building features ultra-efficient fixtures and water-saving appliances, a green roof and landscaped roof terrace, and roof-mounted solar panels that will provide energy savings and reduce reliance on municipal energy supply. In addition, the building also includes a 4,500 square foot accessory community facility space. The building was designed by FXCollaborative and MHG Architects. The general contractor was Monadnock Construction, Inc.

“As the first building completed in the La Central development, Breaking Ground’s facility sets the tone for sustainability, design, and equity for this neighborhood-within-a-neighborhood. With its expressive corner tower, welcoming two-story entry, and crafted façade, we expect that it will be well-loved by residents and neighbors alike,” said Dan Kaplan, FAIA, LEED AP, Senior Partner of FXCollaborative.

In December 2013, the City of New York announced that the multi-property La Central development would bring nearly 1,000 units of mixed-income affordable housing built in phases to the Bronxchester Urban Renewal site in the Melrose neighborhood of the Bronx. Bordered by Bergen Avenue, Brook Avenue and East 149th Street, La Central will encompass five buildings of mixed-income affordable housing, along with a host of retail, community and recreation spaces including a new YMCA. The remainder of the project is being developed and managed by partners BRP Development Corporation, Hudson Companies Inc., The Kretchmer Companies, ELH Mgmt LLC, and the YMCA of Greater New York.

The 1.1 million-square-foot La Central development will consist of a 50,000-square-foot state-of-the-art YMCA, a new home for BronxNet Television Studios, a public skate park, and a rooftop telescope operated by the Bronx High School of Science. In addition, La Central will include new community and retail space to serve residents and the surrounding neighborhoods. Breaking Ground’s building is the first to complete construction at this major community revitalization project.

La Central, located at Bergen Avenue and East 152^nd Street, adds to Breaking Ground’s growing Bronx portfolio. With its completion, Breaking Ground now manages 3,800 affordable units for formerly homeless and low-income New Yorkers. Additionally, we have nearly 1,000 units of affordable and supportive housing in various stages of development in New York City.