Meltzer Tower as seen from 2nd Street
Signs opposing the proposed replacement of Meltzer Tower have begun appearing around the East Village, as both neighboring residents and some tenants of the NYCHA senior complex voice concerns about the plan.
One flyer spotted on Avenue A, headlined "Help Us Save Meltzer Park," focuses on the landscaped open space next to the 20-story tower at 94 E. First St. It warns that a new building on the site would mean the loss of the park and its trees, along with years of construction, and says residents of First and Second Streets between First Avenue and Avenue A would be affected.
The flyer also criticizes the lack of outreach to the surrounding community and directs neighbors to EVG's Sept. 18 report detailing the proposal.
An email address — meltzerpark@gmail.com — is provided for people interested in updates or joining the East Second Street Block Association.
A second flyer, titled "Stop the Demolition of Meltzer Tower," raises concerns among current residents about the plan itself, questioning why the existing tower couldn't instead be renovated and modernized — as originally announced in 2024 — and calls for preserving the open space along First Street for senior amenities.
The proposal for a new tower comes as the PACT team has documented extensive repair needs in the existing building. Presentations from the resident meetings are available as PDFs under the “Resources for Residents” section of the Meltzer PACT website.
At a May 15 resident meeting, the PACT team said Meltzer Tower has more than $80 million in projected repair needs over 20 years, with many building systems beyond their useful life. The work would include repairs or replacement of the façade, roof and windows; heating and hot-water systems; plumbing and electrical systems; ventilation equipment; kitchens, bathrooms and flooring; and building security systems.
The proposal remains in the planning stages. The building shown in materials presented to Meltzer residents is conceptual, and the final footprint has not been determined. The current timeline calls for construction to start in late 2027, with residents moving into the new building in late 2029.
The plans presented so far have not detailed what would happen to the existing tower or its site after residents move.
Previously on EV Grieve:
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