Bethune Gardens
Bethune Gardens | |
|---|---|
Interactive map of Bethune Gardens | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| City | New York City |
| Borough | Manhattan |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.49 acres (0.60 ha) |
| Population | |
• Total | 238 |
| Zip Code | 10032 |
| Designated | February 14, 2022[2] |
| Reference no. | 100007411[2] |
The Bethune Gardens is a NYCHA housing project building with 22 stories. It is located between Amsterdam and St. Nicholas Avenues and also between West 155th and 157th Streets in Washington Heights, Manhattan.[3]
History
Plans for the development were filed in 1964 by the architectural firm of Pomerance & Breines.[4] This building was completed on March 31, 1967.[1] The development is named after Mary McLeod Bethune.[5] It was the first federally-funded senior housing vest-pocket development.[6] Compared to NYCHA's superblock projects, such as those that line the west side of the FDR Drive south of 14th Street (the Riis Houses, Lillian Wald Houses and Baruch Houses), vest-pocket projects were smaller in design and only contained one to four buildings.[7]
21st century
The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on February 14, 2022.[2] Residents of the local community had speculated that the nomination of the property for listing on the NRHP might have been driven by the investment tax credits available for the rehabilitation of the historic structures, which would make privatization under the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program more attractive to developers.[8]
In January 2023, NYCHA closed on the financing of the PACT conversion of Bethune Gardens, along with Audubon Houses and Marshall Plaza. These complexes will be included in Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) part of section 8 to modernize the buildings through extensive renovations and replacements, invest in community spaces, and preserve affordability and residents' rights.[9][10]
See also
- New York City Housing Authority
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Manhattan above 110th Street
References
- ^ a b c "NYCHA Development Data Book 2025" (PDF). New York City Housing Authority. p. 213, c. 1. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ a b c "Weekly List 2022 02 18". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2022-02-18. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
- ^ "Bethune Gardens" (PDF). New York City Housing Authority. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ "Building Permit Search". Office for Metropolitan History. NB 36-1964. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ^ "NYCHA Developments Named after Black Americans". The NYCHA Journal. 2020-02-11. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
- ^ Mackey, Linda (2021-05-17). Bethune Gardens Building Inventory (Report). New York State Historic Preservation Office. Unique Site Number 061-01-021424.
- ^ "Public Housing to Get New Look". The New York Times. 1957-05-05. p. 76. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ^ Buttenwieser, Charlotte (2022-02-02). "Two housing units in West Harlem are nominated for the National Register of Historic Places. Residents are questioning why". Columbia Spectator. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ^ "Bethune Gardens PACT". preserveabm.com. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
- ^ "NYCHA and Partners Begin $137.6 Million PACT Modernization Project at Audubon Houses, Bethune Gardens, and Marshall Plaza in Upper Manhattan" (Press release). New York City Housing Authority. 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2026-02-14.