NYC cleans 165 acres for affordable housing, schools, community spaces

New York City has achieved a significant milestone in land remediation, transforming 165 acres of contaminated land into vibrant, functional spaces under the leadership of Mayor Eric Adams and the Office of Environmental Remediation (OER).

The initiative has paved the way for 28,000 housing units, including 12,000 affordable homes, 16 new schools, 2.9 million square feet of community spaces, and 6.1 million square feet of commercial development.

“New York City’s most valuable resource is our land — and our Office of Environmental Remediation does incredible work to make sure we can use every square foot safely and in a healthy manner,” said Mayor Adams. “The 165 acres we’ve cleaned up have allowed us to house tens of thousands of our neighbors, put thousands of students in school seats, and build new plazas, parks, and open spaces across the city.”

The OER, established in 2008 as part of the city’s PlaNYC sustainability plan, has led over 1,000 cleanups — the largest municipal program of its kind in the U.S. Nearly 70% of these projects are in environmental justice areas, addressing the impacts of pollution in underserved communities.

“The milestone of 1,000 cleanups is a fantastic achievement,” said Acting OER Director Shaminder Chawla. “We make sites ready for redevelopment, which brings housing, jobs, and millions in tax revenue for our city.”

Among the recently completed projects is the Mt. Hope Walton Apartments in the Bronx, which turned a vacant lot into a 14-story building with 103 affordable housing units, 15% reserved for formerly homeless households. The site also features a 9,900-square-foot gymnasium, including a basketball court.

In Brooklyn, the Rheingold Affordable Senior Residences in Williamsburg offers 93 supportive housing units for seniors, along with a food pantry and a rooftop garden. Developers addressed soil contamination and installed safety systems to protect residents.

The Tommie L. Agee Educational Campus in Queens transformed a contaminated site into a state-of-the-art middle school for 646 students. The site was made safe through extensive soil removal and the installation of protective systems.

Other noteworthy projects include River Avenue in the Bronx, one of the city’s largest supportive housing developments with 245 units, and The Eliza in Manhattan, which combines 174 affordable housing units with a fully redeveloped public library and community center.

“This project is not only paving the way for a greener New York City, it is also enhancing our neighborhoods with valuable resources,” said Councilmember James F. Gennaro.

OER’s Clean Soil Bank program, the only municipally operated initiative of its kind, continues to play a critical role in sustainable development. The program provides clean soil to redevelopers, reducing costs and accelerating progress.

The efforts underscore the city’s commitment to sustainability, environmental justice, and smart urban planning, with leaders like Queens Borough President Donovan Richards calling it a step toward a “cleaner, healthier, and more vibrant city.”

Mayor Adams added, “This is a testament to what we can accomplish when we prioritize smart and sustainable development in our communities.”