Project HOPE holds ribbon-cutting for elderly housing
The Compound teams up with NBPA for new exhibit
BY ALEX MITCHELL
The Compound is kicking
once again. The contemporary
art gallery teamed
up with the NBA Players Association
to unveil its newest
feature titled ‘Players Voice
Awards Art Exhibit,’ which
tipped off with an exclusive
opening party on Wednesday,
August 22.
Awards-winning portraits
and abstract pieces
relating to the the best moments
o f the 2019 NBA season
hang all around the
three-roomed expose now,
many with connections to
the Bronx.
Legendary New York
Yankees muralist Andre
Trenier switched sports
when he painted a very classical
interpretation of Giannis
Antetokounmpo, making
the Milwaukee MVP appear
as a marble Olympian like
his Greek predecessors.
Other works on display
include Devon Rodriguez’s
hyper realistic painting
of Boston Celtic’s Gordon
Hayward that served as
a metaphor for his Comeback
Player Award and the
Vera twins’ cartooning of
the Houston Rockets James
Harden.
Guests were still entertained
after glancing over
all the pieces with the newest
editions of FIFA and
NBA2K up for grabs to play
on Xbox One.
Not to mention the buffet
catered by nearby Mott Haven
Bar and Grill was to die
for…especially the fried mac
& cheese balls.
In addition to the artists
appreciating the extraordinary
work of their colleagues,
the opening night
served as a chance for notable
Bronxites to socialize
as well.
Famed Bronx fashion
designer Jerome Lamaar
joined the ranks of other borough
noteables like Bronx
Native creator Amaurys
Grullon, The Bronxer, who
also just unveiled a new collaboration
with the Bronx
Brewery, and of course the
Compound’s co-owner Set
Free Richardson who made
the evening and gallery happen
.T
he ‘Players Voice Award
Arts Exhibit’ will remain on
display throughout September.
15 BRONX WEEKLY September 1, 2019 www.BXTimes.com
BY STEVEN GOODSTEIN
There is a new reason to be HOPEful for
seniors at a Bartow Avenue residence.
On Thursday, August 22, NYS Homes &
Community Renewal, Connolly and Partners,
B’nai B’rith Senior Housing, First
Hartford Realty Corporation and Project
HOPE residents gathered for a ribbon-cutting
ceremony to celebrate the completed
renovations of senior housing development
Project HOPE, located at 2050 Bartow Avenue.
The rehabilitation at Project HOPE was
implemented to improve its residents’ quality
of life as well as to preserve the affordable
housing for seniors. In total, Project
HOPE underwent a $34 million renovation.
All 100 units received improvements
and are now equipped with new bathrooms,
kitchen appliances, lighting and were repainted.
Exterior and common areas were
also renovated and now include upgraded
security system, smoke detectors, sprinklers,
electrical, new masonry, replacement
exterior doors, elevators, safety windows,
plumbing infrastructure, boilers and
pumps.
The 100-unit senior housing development,
which was originally constructed in
1992, includes 25 studios and 74 one-bedroom
apartments as well as a single two-bedroom
unit for the on-site superintendent.
“Low-income seniors are among the population
most urgently in need of affordable
housing,” said Borough President Ruben
Diaz Jr. “This project is a step in the right
direction to fulfi ll the demand for affordable
housing in our growing city, ensuring
that our senior population can remain in
the communities they call home as they enjoy
their golden years.”
Diaz Jr. also thanked NYS Homes & Community
Renewal for addressing the community
needs and for facilitating the borough’s
sustainable growth.
“I would like to thank Project HOPE,
B’nai B’rith and the NYS Homes and Community
Renewal for their commitment in
creating affordable housing units for seniors
in Co-op City, which is the largest
Naturally Occurring Retirement Community
in the country and serves its large senior
population in various capacities, such
as providing senior recreation, senior centers
and events,” said Senator Jamaal Bailey.
“I applaud NYS Homes & Community
Renewal for taking the lead in the renovation
of B’nai B’rith’s Project HOPE, which
created a sorely needed affordable housing
targeted to our low-income seniors,” said
Assemblyman Michael Benedetto. “The
project’s Section 8 status will ensure this
housing will remain affordable for many,
many years to come.”
The renovation of the 25-year old development,
which sets aside units for low-income
households which include at least one
member aged 62 and older, will preserve
affordability for an additional 40 years. All
units are also set aside for households with
incomes at or below 60 percent area median
income.
“The Adelstein family is honored and
takes great pride in the redevelopment of
this residence,” said Martin Adelstein,
president of Project HOPE Development
Corporation. “Over 40 years ago, our father,
Bernie Edelstein, the founder and pioneer
of Project HOPE, spearheaded this wonderful
example of his commitment to establish
affordable housing for seniors.”
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony,
which was held in Project HOPE’s community
garden, a lunch was held for the residents
and all in attendance.
Martin Adelstein (c) with representatives of NYS Homes & Community Renewal, Connolly and Partners
and First Hartford Realty Corporation for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Schneps Media / Steven Goodstein
Artwork from ‘The Players
Voice Awards Art Exhibit.’ The
Compoud
Set Free (l) with Bronx muralist Andre Trenier (second from r) and other icons at The Compound. The Compound
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