Dismantling Disinvestment: Fulton and Elliott Chelsea Tenants Reclaim the Narrative

“Stop the Land Grab!” “No Demolition!” Tenant leaders, community members, and residents from two NYCHA public housing developments in Manhattan, the Fulton and Elliott Chelsea (FEC) Houses, have been showing up in force at public meetings voicing opposition to the proposed demolition of their community. Located in the heart of Chelsea, across from the High Line, and a stone’s throw away from Hudson Yards, private developers Essence Development and real estate giant Related Companies (of Hudson Yards), are proposing to demolish 24 buildings and replace them with three new towers for the current 4000+ residents (on 30% of the land), as well as adding thousands of privately owned market rate and “affordable” units (on 70% of public land).

One of the major concerns identified has been the lack of transparency and meaningful community engagement. As resident leader Renee Keitt articulated “It is the market value of Chelsea that has literally driven this process,” not a concern for residents. “We never voted for demolition, and we will not allow our homes and community to be destroyed without a fight.” “Dismantling Disinvestment: FEC Residents Reclaim the Narrative” proposes to activate residents through a series of community teach-ins, an intergenerational participatory action research (PAR) project, and a “living archive” of residents’ testimonials on the future of FEC, historical documents, and our research findings.

With a focus on public education, inquiry, and action, the Dismantling Disinvestment project will bring much-needed resources to support and activate residents who are coming together right now to fight the demolition. Community teach-ins will support resident advocacy in the political process, build coalition with supporters of NYCHA citywide, as well as reclaim the narrative about disinvestment and public housing. At the same time, a PAR process will engage younger residents into the fold working alongside experienced resident leaders to document concerns as well as community visions for the future of the FEC.

The project team includes resident leaders from Fulton and Elliott Chelsea Tenants Against Demolition, community organizers from the Midtown South Community Council, Pratt faculty and students.