Renovations include brand new instructional kitchen and computer rooms 

United Activities Unlimited, Inc., will operate Cornerstone Center and provide programming and services to Mariner’s Harbor residents

NEW YORK – The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), along with the New York City Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD) and the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), today celebrated the completion of the $6.1 million renovation of the Mariner’s Harbor Community Center on Staten Island, featuring a fully functional instructional kitchen, computer rooms, a common room, and brand-new restrooms, among other upgrades. The improved center will continue to function as a United Activities Unlimited, Inc. (UAU) Cornerstone location, providing NYCHA residents at Mariner’s Harbor with year-round, evening and weekend programming and services, including academic support and recreational and physical activities, as well as programming focused on leadership development, civic engagement, and cultural exploration. Programming at Mariner’s Harbor will aim to address primary community needs, such as a lack of healthy food alternatives, and will host mobile food pantries in partnership with Community Health Action of Staten Island and interactive lessons on healthy eating and farming with Green City Force and the Sylvia Center. 

“Today, we are giving the residents of Staten Island the world-class community center that they deserve,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “From a new kitchen to a high-tech computer room, these upgrades will give New Yorkers a safe place to gather, get a meal, apply for a job, enjoy cultural programming, and more. Congratulations to all of our city agencies that came together to get this project done and create a safer, more affordable city for working-class New Yorkers.” 

“I am so excited to see the completion of the new Mariner's Harbor Community Center,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrión, Jr. “This new facility will bring a wide range of programming to NYCHA residents and enhance their lives. I congratulate the NYCHA team for the completion of this project and look forward to seeing residents enjoy this space.” 

“The newly renovated Mariner’s Harbor Community Center will provide over 1,300 NYCHA residents with access to a dramatically improved community hub where they can engage with important programming directly based on their priorities, such as classes on eating healthy,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “We are incredibly thankful to our city partners for investing the time, energy, and resources into bringing this incredible space to life for the Mariner’s Harbor community.” 

“The improved community center will provide Mariner’s Harbor residents with a great space to gather and engage with amazing resources and programming, just steps outside their front doors,” said NYCHA Chief Operating Officer Eva Trimble. “We’re grateful to our city partners for their collaboration on this project and for their ongoing dedication to the New Yorkers who call NYCHA home.”   

“A priority of Mayor Adams is providing affordable, safe spaces for New Yorkers to connect to vital resources, meet their neighbors, and grab a free meal. The new Mariner’s Harbor Cornerstone operated by our outstanding partner, United Activities Unlimited, shows what can be accomplished when agencies break down silos and work together to make New York City the best place to raise a family,” said DYCD Commissioner Keith Howard. “Thank you to NYCHA, DDC, UAU, Council Member Kamillah Hanks, former City Council Youth Services Committee Chair Debi Rose, and all our partners for making this renovated center a cornerstone of the Mariner’s Harbor and Arlington communities.”    

“This $6.1 million project completely renovated NYCHA’s Mariner’s Harbor Community Center with a new teaching kitchen plus amenities like new ADA-accessible restrooms, a new check-in area, and energy-efficient lighting,” said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley. “The new Center is a vibrant and inviting space for programming and other services and we thank our City partners for working with us to bring this wonderful multipurpose center to this Staten Island community.” 

“I am very happy to celebrate the ribbon cutting for the new Mariner’s Harbor Community Center,” said Mariner’s Harbor Resident Association Brenda “Kiko” Charles. “This newly renovated center will bring new life into the community. It will be a safe space for the youth and residents of Mariner’s Harbor. Under the direction of United Activities Unlimited, it is my hope that this center will serve the entire community including youth, teens, adults, and seniors. We hope the community will use the center to engage in a variety of activities, trainings, and classes by working in partnership with the Mariner’s Harbor Resident Association.” 

“The renovation of the Mariner’s Harbor Community Center marks a major investment in opportunity and equity for our NYCHA families,” said Council Member Kamillah Hanks. “We are excited that this will continue to serve as a United Activities Unlimited (UAU) Cornerstone location, offering year-round academic, recreational, and leadership programming. With upgrades like the instructional kitchen and new technology spaces, we’re providing the tools and environment our community needs to grow and thrive.”  

“Thank you to NYCHA, DYCD, and DDC for prioritizing these renovations for the kids of Mariner’s Harbor,” said New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. “This community truly relies on programs like UAU to provide our youth with a safe and secure environment after school lets out. These long-awaited improvements will not only elevate the academic support provided by UAU, but also offer opportunities for our kids to engage in sports, develop new skills, and build lasting friendships—supporting their growth both in and out of the classroom. I’m excited to see the final result in person to see how much the kids enjoy their new space.” 

“Creating opportunities on the North Shore of Staten Island is one of the most fruitful and critical tasks our City can take on,” said New York State Assembly Member Sam Pirozzolo. “Today’s grand opening of the newly renovated Mariner’s Harbor Community Center will do just that. With new additions like an instructional kitchen, computer rooms, and enhanced programming, this center will quickly take shape as THE place where young people and families can come together, grow, learn, and prosper. I want to congratulate and thank NYCHA, United Activities Unlimited, and all the partners involved in making this incredible project a reality for the Mariner’s Harbor community.” 

“I’m pleased that the $6.1 million renovation of the Mariner’s Harbor Community Center is now complete and can be finally used and enjoyed by the 1,300 residents who call Mariner’s Harbor home,” said U.S. Representative Nicole Malliotakis. “The upgraded community center includes a fully equipped instructional kitchen with a modern HVAC system, new flooring, doors, lighting, and fresh paint—along with computer rooms, a common area, and features new restrooms that residents have long deserved. This updated space will support year-round programming improve the quality of life for the Mariner’s Harbor Community.” 

“After almost eight years, the long-awaited renovation to the Mariner’s Harbor Community Center is finally complete,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. “We are pleased that the residents of Mariner’s Harbor Houses will have a common space for programming, activities, engagement and support once more. We hope the residents enjoy all this Center will have to offer.”  

“We are thrilled to move into this new facility and begin an exciting new chapter for the Mariner’s Harbor Cornerstone program,” said UAU Executive Director Steven Matteo. “UAU is deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve and partner with the Mariner’s Harbor community, and we are proud to continue providing a safe, welcoming space where Mariner’s Harbor residents can come together to learn, grow, and thrive. We thank DYCD for its unwavering support and investment in this community, and we look forward to all of the vibrant programming, special events, and everyday moments that will bring this new space to life.”  

Capital improvements to the community center, overseen by DDC, included construction of a new instructional kitchen, complete with new fixtures and equipment; abatement of environmental hazards; a new ductless HVAC system; new flooring, doors, frames, and light fixtures; fresh paint; a new addressable fire alarm system, electrical submeter, and electrical panels; fully renovated bathrooms with new shaft walls, and all new fixtures, accessories, and finishes to meet ADA compliance; and new canopy and outdoor signage. Funding for the improvements was provided by the city. 

Mariner’s Harbor is home to over 1,300 residents in more than 600 apartments across 22 buildings and is located in the Arlington neighborhood of Staten Island.  

 

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About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)       

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest public housing authority in North America, was created in 1934 to provide decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. NYCHA is home to 1 in 17 New Yorkers, providing affordable housing to 520,808 authorized residents through public housing and Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) programs as well as Section 8 housing. NYCHA has 177,569 apartments in 2,411 buildings across 335 conventional public housing and PACT developments. In addition, NYCHA connects residents to critical programs and services from external and internal partners, with a focus on economic opportunity, youth, seniors, and social services. With a housing stock that spans all five boroughs, NYCHA is a city within a city.  

About the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) 

The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) invests in a network of community-based organizations and programs to alleviate the effects of poverty and to provide opportunities for New Yorkers and communities to flourish. DYCD strives to improve the quality of life of New Yorkers by collaborating with local organizations and investing in the talents and assets of our communities to help them develop, grow, and thrive. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/dycd. 

About the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC)
 
The Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor Adams’ long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $33 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.