Independence Towers

Last updated
Independence Towers
Independence Houses
Independence Towers NYCHA Clymer St jeh.jpg
Independence Towers
Interactive map of Independence Towers
Country United States
StateFlag of New York.svg New York
City New York City
Borough Brooklyn
Area
  Total
5.63 acres (2.28 ha)
Population
  Total
1,690 [1]
Zip Code
11249

Independence Towers is a NYCHA housing project that consists of six 21-story buildings. It is located between Clymer to Wilson Streets and also between Wythe Place and Bedford Avenue in South Williamsburg, Brooklyn. [2] Tenants began moving into the housing project in January 1965 and the complex was completed in October of that same year. [1] [3]

Contents

History

Originally planned to be called the Bedford-Wilson project, [4] the complex was named Independence Houses because four of the streets abutting the site were named after signers of the Declaration of Independence: George Clymer, George Taylor, James Wilson and George Wythe. [5] Plans for the housing project were initially opposed by religious groups in the surrounding area. [6] [7] [8]

The complex was designed by the architectural firm of Holden, Egan, Wilson & Corser and built by the Wilaka Construction Company. [9]

21st Century

In February 2020, the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) conversion had started on this project. [2] Announced in 2017, it was to protect the authority's unfunded apartments for 8 different development including this one and that cost NYCHA at least $23M per year and these developments required greater than $1,000,000 in repairing. [10] It also had its boilers and heating equipment replaced and more high-efficiency boilers, new radiators, and temperature controls. The roofs, windows, elevators, doors, and flooring were also renewed. [11]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Development Data Book 2025" (PDF). New York City Housing Authority. p. 218, c. 2. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  2. 1 2 "Independence PACT" (PDF). New York City Housing Authority/PACT. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  3. "Tenants All Set To Move". New York Amsterdam News. 1965-01-23. p. 42. Retrieved 2025-12-11 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Williamsburg Confidential". The Williamsburg News. 1960-02-19. p. 1. Retrieved 2025-12-11 via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Williamsburg Confidential". The Williamsburg News. 1960-02-12. p. 1. Retrieved 2025-12-11 via Newspapers.com.
  6. "2 Groups Join Forces to War on CHA Plans". New York Daily News. 1958-03-07. p. K2. Retrieved 2025-12-11 via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Board Shelves Neptune Ave. Widening Plan". New York Daily News. 1958-03-14. p. K1. Retrieved 2025-12-11 via Newspapers.com.
  8. Rice, William A. (1960-02-12). "City Submits Peace Plan in Project War". New York Daily News. p. K1. Retrieved 2025-12-11 via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Applications Ready For New Housing". The Williamsburg News. 1964-08-14. pp. 1, 6 . Retrieved 2025-12-11 via Newspapers.com.
  10. "PACT Unfunded Units Fact Sheet" (PDF). New York City Housing Authority. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  11. "Mayor Adams, HUD, NYCHA Complete $434 Million Comprehensive Renovation Of Nine Public Housing Developments, Benefiting More Than 6,000 Brooklynites". www.nyc.gov (Press release). New York City Housing Authority. 2022-05-20. Retrieved 2025-12-11.