Tenants of New York City Housing Authority developments in Chelsea went to court Wednesday to at least temporarily block the demolition of nearly 20 buildings and new construction by a private developer. NYCHA argues it's seeking to demolish many-decades-old buildings and let private companies rebuild, while some residents argue relocations would be traumatic and they would be packed into fewer, bigger buildings.
The City has agreed to let Related, a developer, tear down that and more than 20 neighboring buildings in the Fulton & Elliott Chelsea Houses, and relocate residents. It would essentially privatize the housing development, rather than depending on the city to maintain and manage. The project includes rebuilding all 2,056 existing units and creating up to 3,454 new mixed-income units and new community facilities and public spaces.