UWS Budget Wins Part I: NYCHA Housing, Schools, Morningside Heights

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The record-high $107 billion budget passed by the City Council on the last day of June includes millions of dollars coming to the Upper West Side.

The local funding includes improvements to schools, housing, and parks in the neighborhood.

While District 6 Council Member Gale Brewer represents the majority of the Upper West Side, District 7 Council Member Shaun Abreu represents a significant part of the of the neighborhood above 97th Street.

Patch will publish an additional article next week breaking down the funding secured by Brewer for the upcoming year.

Abreu's office shared with Patch the Upper West Side budget wins he helped secure in the 2024 fiscal year.

Upper West Side + Morningside Heights Budget Wins

Frederick Douglass NYCHA Complex: 3 million

• Funding gained through Speaker Adrienne Adams to help with housing within the Frederick Douglass NYCHA Complex from West 100th to 102nd streets between Amsterdam and Columbus avenues.

Capital Investments Funding

• Frederick Douglass NYCHA Complex basketball courts: $550K
• Morningside Park ADA Renovations: $500K
• The West 108th Street Phase II Affordable Housing Project: $500K
• "Sizable investment" to the chorus room for the Booker T. Washington school at 103 W. 107th St.
• "Sizable investment" to the gymnasium within P.S. 165 at 234 W. 109th St.

Funding From The Mayor

• $9.8 million in funding for Morningside Heights Park related to accessibility, stairs and beautification.

Abreu also helped secure $8.6 million from the mayor to fight rat-mitigation efforts across all of District 7.

"It was a difficult budget process, but I am proud that we secured some very important local wins for our district," Abreu told Patch. "Whether it's protecting and preserving green spaces, making necessary repairs and upgrades to our schools, libraries, and public housing, or uplifting nonprofits that provide programming for our youth and older adults, this $41 million will go a long way towards making Upper Manhattan a better place to live."