Rutgers Houses, also known as Henry Rutgers Houses, is a public housing development built and maintained by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Rutgers Houses is composed of five 20 story buildings on 5.22 acres (21,100 m2), with 721 apartments housing approximately 1,675 people.[3] The complex is bordered by Madison Street to the north, Rutgers Street to the east, Cherry Street to the south, and Pike Street to the west.[3]

Rutgers Houses
Rutgers Houses in 2011
Rutgers Houses in 2011
Map
Location in New York City
Coordinates: 40°42′43″N 73°59′28″W / 40.711852°N 73.991001°W / 40.711852; -73.991001
CountryUnited States
StateNew York
CityNew York City
BoroughManhattan
Area
 • Total0.008 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Population
 • Total1,575 [1]
ZIP codes
10002
Area code(s)212, 332, 646, and 917
Websitemy.nycha.info/DevPortal/

Development edit

Prior to its completion in 1965, the Rutgers Houses was one of the sites of a city-wide civil rights protests in 1963. Demonstrators attempted to block construction until African Americans and Latinos get more jobs in the building trades until several were taken into custody.[4] While not in opposition to the protests, construction crews at the development site were reported to have said they were more integrated than most.[5]

Designed by Hart, Jerman & Associates, the Rutgers Houses in 1961,[6] the development was completed March 31, 1965.[3][7] Pelham Street, which ran between Pike Street and Rutgers Street, was taken off maps of the area about 1960 for the construction of the development.[8] The development is named after Henry Rutgers (1745–1830), a captain in the American Revolutionary War and a major landowner and philanthropist who was the last descendant of Dutch immigrants. Henry Rutgers' farm, the "Bouwery", made up most of the Lower East Side around Chinatown, and later gave large sections of his farm to churches and the development is on a part of the former farm site.[3]

Michael Steele is serving as the Resident Association President for Rutgers Houses and as the Treasurer of the Manhattan South District Citywide Council of Presidents.[9]

In the winter of 2007, Rutgers House V served as a "warming center", a warm place where people without heat can stay for short periods of time.[10][11][12]

In 2010, the Rutgers Houses were one of eight developments to receive a portion of $400 million in funding from the federal to address capitol needs for repairs.[13][14]

Notable residents edit

  • Elisa Izquierdo (1989 – 1995), Elisa's death was the inspiration for Elisa's Law, a major restructuring of the New York City Child Welfare System

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Rutgers Houses Population".
  2. ^ "Rutgers Houses Area". Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d "Rutgers Houses". NYCHA Housing Developments. New York: New York City Housing Authority. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  4. ^ "200 Racial Pickets Seized At Building Projects Here; Police Curb Pickets Blocking Brooklyn Building Site". NY Times. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  5. ^ "RACE SIT-IN BEGINS AT MAYOR'S OFFICE IN A JOB PROTEST; Pickets Stay at Night With Wagner's Sanction--Seek Work in Building Trades Halt in Work Asked RACE SIT-IN BEGINS AT MAYOR'S OFFICE Demonstrators Invited In Project Is Picketed". NY Times. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  6. ^ "Charles Mansfield Hart, 81, Design Public Buildings". NY Times. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  7. ^ "Henry Rutgers Houses, New York City". Emporis.com. Emporis Corporation. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  8. ^ Tauber, Gilbert (2005). ""P" Streets of New York". Old Streets of New York. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  9. ^ "Manhattan South District CCOP Office". Residents' Corner. New York: New York City Housing Authority. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  10. ^ "Nine New York City Warming Centers" (PDF). nyc.gov. New York: City of New York. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 4, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  11. ^ "Rutgers Houses V, New York City, U.S.A." Emporis. Emporis Corporation. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  12. ^ Solomont, Elizabeth (February 7, 2007). "Chill Prompts Officials to Open Warming Shelters". The Sun. New York: TWO SL LLC. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  13. ^ "Rutgers Houses to Receive Stimulus Funds From Washington". DNAinfo New York. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  14. ^ "HUD APPROVES NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPOSAL TO IMPROVE, PRESERVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THOUSANDS ACROSS THE CITY". March 15, 2010.

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