Edenwald Houses senior center reopens after 25 years, renamed for the Bronx tenant leader who fought for it

For the first time in about a quarter century, seniors at Edenwald Houses in the northeast Bronx have their own center again. Mayor Zohran Mamdani, NYCHA officials and residents cut the ribbon Thursday on the renovated senior, community and child care centers at the development, the city's Mayor's Office and the Bronx Times reported.

The senior center, closed for more than 20 years, has been renamed for Walter J. McNeill, the longtime president of the Edenwald Tenant Association. "After 25 years of fighting to bring our senior center back, I am grateful to celebrate," McNeill said in the city's announcement, adding that many seniors "sheltered at home and suffered alone during COVID while the senior center was closed." He called it the proudest moment of his 33 years as tenant president.

What's inside

• Senior center: a commercial kitchen, event space and a computer lab. Regional Aid for Interim Needs (R.A.I.N.), a Bronx nonprofit, will provide meals and transportation support.
• Community center: run by Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, with youth programs, a new storefront and better accessibility.
• Susan Wagner Day Care: a modernized outdoor play area, new flooring and plumbing, accessibility upgrades and full lead paint abatement.

The work on the senior and community centers cost $8.1 million and included new heating and cooling, electrical and mechanical systems, flooring, walls and windows, the Bronx Times reported, citing NYCHA.

Part of a bigger overhaul

Edenwald is NYCHA's largest development in the Bronx and third-largest in the city, with 2,035 apartments and nearly 5,000 residents. The centers are one piece of a $783 million modernization under the PACT program, which brings in private partners to take over repairs and management. Here, the partners are Camber Property Group, Henge Development and SAA | EVI. NYCHA and a resident committee picked the team in 2021, and construction began in 2023, according to the Mayor's Office.

The wider plan includes lead paint removal and mold remediation, new heating and cooling, security upgrades, new apartment interiors, free WiFi across the development and new landscaping. The city says NYCHA keeps ownership of PACT developments and residents keep their rights, including permanent affordability and succession rights.

"These renovated centers will give residents places to gather, access services and build community," Mamdani said. Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg called the reopening "a long time coming."