York City Public Housing Preservation Trust Announces Design-Build Team for $400 Million Modernization of Apartments at Nostrand Houses, Benefitting Over 2,000 Residents
Following the Trust Board approval on July 8, the Trust can now move forward with executing a contract with Community Modernization Group to renovate over 1,000 apartments at the Brooklyn development
This marks the next step in delivering key renovations to the first NYCHA development to vote for the Trust
NEW YORK – RealEstateRama – The New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust (the Trust) today announced the selection of the design-build team, SLSCO LP d/b/a Community Modernization Group (CMG), that will perform over $400 million of renovation work in apartments at Nostrand Houses in Brooklyn, benefitting 2,213 residents. Following approval from the Trust Board on July 8, 2025, the selection of the design-build team and project scope for the development — which encompasses 1,148 apartments — marks a major milestone. This project will deliver holistic repairs to the first NYCHA development to vote for the Trust (the vote took place in December 2023). Residents of Nostrand Houses have been involved in robust engagement efforts since April 2024 and will provide valuable input to the selected design-build team to inform the design process, including finishes, colors, and other design elements. Board approval enables the Trust to formally execute a contract with the design-build team this summer.
“We are proud to be the most pro-housing administration in city history, and that includes public housing. We came to Nostrand Houses nearly two years ago to kick off the voting process for the Trust, and today, we are excited to announce the design-build team that will bring hundreds of millions of dollars in renovations to this site,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “After decades of neglect by the federal government, the Trust is helping us unlock critical funding for our public housing and creating a safer, cleaner, and healthier NYCHA for New Yorkers.”
Congratulations to NYCHA and the residents at Nostrand Houses on selecting the team that will carry out the transformation of their homes and campus,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrión, Jr. “After an extensive engagement process, I am happy to see this project advancing and improving the lives of over 2,000 residents.”
“When the residents of Nostrand spoke, they indicated their desire for a transformation on their campus, and I’m glad to see that we are responding to that request in an expeditious manner,” said Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg. “Selecting a design-build team will allow us to waste no time in delivering the improvements that will benefit 2,000 residents. Congratulations to the residents of Nostrand Houses and to NYCHA for reaching this important milestone.”
“The selection of the design-build team for Nostrand Houses represents a significant milestone for the first NYCHA development that voted to receive comprehensive renovations through the Public Housing Preservation Trust,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see a collective vision for the development — driven by resident input — beginning to take shape, and we cannot wait to witness the revitalization of the homes, buildings, and campus for over 2,000 Nostrand residents.”
“With Community Modernization Group on board, we’re taking a major step toward delivering high-quality comprehensive renovations at Nostrand Houses,” said NYC Public Housing Preservation Trust President Vlada Kenniff. “The design-build model allows us to move more efficiently, minimize disruption, and ensure residents continue to be our partners in shaping the future of their homes.”
“I am excited about the Trust, and I know most of my neighbors feel the same,” said Nostrand Houses Resident Representative Grendaliz Rolon. “Change can be a little scary, but this is our chance to secure the steady funding and long-overdue repairs we need. The Trust gives us a real solution while NYCHA still owns and manages our homes.”
“Getting the right team on the job makes all the difference and with Community Modernization Group, we’ve got that team,” said Trust Board Member Karen Blondel. “This is a big win for Nostrand and an important step forward for how public housing gets fixed in this city.”
“Community Modernization Group (CMG) is honored to partner with the New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust on the transformation of Nostrand Houses,” said Vice President of Sweet Group (part of the CMG team) Danielle Grillo Pemberton. “This milestone reflects our strong commitment to delivering high-quality, resident-centered design and construction that not only improves public housing infrastructure but also enhances residents’ quality of life. We are proud to help set a new standard for equitable, community-driven reinvestment in New York City and remain dedicated to engaging residents and stakeholders throughout the process to ensure their voices are heard and reflected in this pivotal revitalization project.”
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 October 2024, 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, property management, and capital projects professionals, evaluated these proposals to determine which one offered the best value to the respective sites.
The project 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. The Trust 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 2024, efforts have been guided by a robust stakeholder engagement process to identify resident priorities and implement input at the development, ensure that the final scope will address all pillar areas identified in the 2019 Agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and support continued communication during renovation through a dedicated community liaison. In April 2024, the Trust organized community visioning workshops with residents of Nostrand Houses to tailor the scope of work based on feedback from resident leadership and property management. 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 CMG. Since then, the Trust held or attended 10 community meetings, distributed over 17,000 flyers, and engaged directly with 400 residents. In addition, a dedicated liaison serves as the main point of contact for residents, regularly attending tenant association meetings and staffing the Engagement Office, which celebrated its grand reopening on June 26, 2025.
CMG brings together housing modernization experts with decades of experience transforming residential environments across the country. The team has extensive design-build experience in New York City, including projects throughout Staten Island, and a proven track record managing the temporary relocation of over 3,000 NYCHA residents. With over 200 years of combined construction experience in New York City, CMG is uniquely positioned to deliver high-quality, resident-centered renovations at Nostrand Houses.
Nostrand Houses is home to 2,213 residents living in 1,148 apartments across 16 buildings. The projected scope of improvements involves full kitchen and bathroom renovations; hazardous materials abatement, including the full removal of lead-based paint from the apartments; heating and ventilation system enhancements; elevator, window, and plumbing replacements; electrical system upgrades; facade repairs; and pest control and waste management improvements.
The removal of environmental hazards, such as lead-based materials and mold, will necessitate the brief, phased temporary relocation of residents both onsite and to neighboring developments at the Trust’s expense. Once this work is fully completed, residents will be able to return to their apartments within nine months.
As part of the modernization of Nostrand Houses, the Trust will oversee design and construction. Under the Trust, the development is kept 100 percent public and converted to the more stable, federally funded Project-Based Section 8 program, while residents maintain their rights, including permanently affordable rent. The design, financing, and construction process for this property is expected to take five years.
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 1934 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.
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