Major accessibility improvements and 99-unit affordable housing development set to revitalize Delancey-Essex area under Governor Hochul’s ambitious infrastructure plans

New York – In a significant move toward enhancing New York City’s urban infrastructure, Governor Kathy Hochul, in collaboration with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), and Delancey Street Associates, has announced the commencement of dual projects aimed at improving subway accessibility and increasing housing availability. The focus of these developments is the Delancey St–Essex St Station complex and the former site of the Essex Market, now part of the burgeoning Essex Crossing area.

Governor Hochul highlighted the project’s dual benefits, emphasizing that the renovations and new constructions are being funded by the city’s congestion pricing revenue. This initiative, designed to reinvest back into the community, aims to make significant enhancements to both transportation and residential options in the area.

“Making the Delancey-Essex station complex fully accessible with an affordable housing development at Essex Crossing is possible with the revenue from congestion pricing — a program that will put the proceeds toward New Yorkers’ needs,” Governor Hochul said.

“We are committed to creating a more accessible and more affordable New York with improvement plans that are focused on bettering opportunities and the transit customer experience for riders.”

The MTA has laid out plans for a comprehensive overhaul of the Delancey St–Essex St Station to make it fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This includes the construction of three new elevators that will facilitate step-free connections and transfers within the station complex, enhancing the transit experience for all riders, particularly those with mobility challenges. This station, which accommodates approximately 68,000 riders daily, will see significant improvements in accessibility.

Alongside these enhancements, Delancey Street Associates has committed to the construction of a 99-unit mixed-income housing complex on the site formerly occupied by Essex Market. This development is a component of the larger Essex Crossing project, which has revitalized the local area by introducing new retail and community spaces and a substantial portion of affordable housing.

Construction of the new housing units is scheduled to begin in 2026, bringing a much-needed boost in affordable housing options to the area. The housing complex will not only provide new homes but will also include an easement for the MTA, facilitating the construction of an additional elevator linking the northeast corner of Delancey and Essex Streets directly to the subway station below.

This initiative is part of the MTA’s 2020-24 Capital Plan, which aims to modernize and enhance transportation infrastructure across the city. By tying the improvements directly to the congestion pricing revenue, the projects represent a sustainable and economically efficient approach to urban development.

The collaborative effort among state and city agencies along with private developers like Delancey Street Associates underscores a commitment to improving the quality of life for New Yorkers through integrated urban planning. This development not only promises to enhance accessibility for subway riders but also to significantly increase the availability of mixed-income housing in Manhattan, reflecting a strategic blend of public utility and community development.