Melrose North

Organization Name: Services for the UnderServed & Bronx Pro Group

Project Title: Melrose North

Project Location: Morrisania, Bronx

Project Description:
Melrose North is a supportive housing project in the Morrisania neighborhood of the Bronx developed by Services for the Underserved (S:US) and Bronx Pro Group. The 171-unit project serves households earning between 40% and 80% of AMI, including 103 supportive housing units for formerly homeless individuals with mental health or substance abuse issues, as well as families who have been victims of domestic violence. The $92 million project was financed with HDC tax-exempt bonds, HPD SHLP subsidy, a Federal Home Loan Bank of NY grant, and 4% tax credit equity. A NYCHA trash compactor previously occupied the site before it was awarded to S:US and Bronx Pro Group through a NYCHA RFP in July 2018. NYCHA maintains ownership of the site and executed a 99-year ground with the owner. The Passive House-certified project includes an outdoor play area, 24-hour security, community rooms, a computer room, a community garden, laundry facilities, and S:US’ on-site social services. A 5,000-square-foot community facility space and a double-height room for new NYCHA trash compactors occupy the ground floor. Melrose North was designed by Curtis + Ginsberg Architects and Home Builders 1 is the general contractor.

Community Impact:
S:US provides supportive services to residents within the building. These include entitlements assistance, referral and coordination of care, health and wellness counseling, daily living skills, employment support, recreation/social support, and family services. The community facility space is leased by Dreamyard Project, the largest arts educator in the Bronx. At Melrose North, they will provide 16 new programs to educate approximately 800 students who will learn skills for the burgeoning gaming industry. Dreamyard will add six employees to its staff to support these efforts. Bronx Pro Group and S:US worked with the office of former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. to ensure the inclusion of a new accessible ramp to serve commuters at the adjacent Metro North station. The ramp is expected to increase access to the station where ridership is increasing. The development team worked with Dreamyard Project to select an artist for a 120-foot mural on the north face of the building. We then conducted a design charrette with the neighboring NYCHA Resident Association who provided the design theme. The development team also refurbished the nearby basketball court so it can better serve the community.

Organization Description:
Services for the Underserved is a 501(c)(3) New York non-profit organization founded in 1978. S:US provides $273 million in services and supports to transform the lives of over 37,000 of New York City's most vulnerable individuals. S:US currently owns, manages, or leases 120+ buildings in New York City. Bronx Pro Group is a neighborhood-based firm dedicated to community development through affordable housing investments since 1988. Bronx Pro has completed over 3,200 affordable housing units with a development cost totaling more than $938 million.

Team Members:

Architect: Curtis + Ginsburg Architects
General Contractor: Home Builders
Other partners:
Enterprise
Chase
Hirschen, Singer & Epstein
Olive Branch Consulting
AKRF
Steven Winters Associates