About Co-op City
Convenience, Comfort, Community
Co-op City is a New York State Mitchell-Lama housing cooperative with 15,372 residential units in 35 high-rise buildings and seven (7) townhouse clusters that consist of garden and duplex apartments. It is the largest single residential development in the United States with a population of approximately 50,000 residents. There are three shopping centers on Co-op City property, three community centers, eight parking garages, professional offices and an education park with elementary through high school on the grounds. The development is located across from one of the largest shopping centers in New York City, Mall at Bay Plaza. It is accessible by public transportation to all points of the city, including an express bus to Manhattan. A Metro-North railroad station is also planned for Co-op City pending completion of the Penn Station Access Project.
In December 2018, Co-op City celebrated its 50th anniversary of providing affordable homes to a diverse cross section of middle-income New Yorkers.
Riverbay Corporation is the corporate entity of Co-op City.
Riverbay Residential Sales Department is the exclusive agent for all apartment sales in Co-op City.
Neighborhood
Co-op City is best known for two things rare in New York City – natural, open spaces and affordability. Only 20 percent of the property’s 320 acres is developed.
The development is financially stable. The historic 2012 mortgage refinancing guaranteed low interest rates for decades, saving shareholders millions in interest payments and ensuring Co-op City remains in New York State’s Mitchell-Lama housing program for many years to come.
Co-op City is intergenerational. It has a vibrant and engaged senior population. JASA Social Services operates senior services programs in each of Co-op City’s three community centers located within walking distance to clusters of residential buildings for easy access. These centers provide lunch, activities, programs, trips and a variety of other venues for seniors to socialize in their own community.
Throughout the development, there are tot-lot play areas, bike and walking paths, outdoor exercise equipment, basketball and tennis courts, a little league field, and even a community garden. There are also several houses of worship of different faiths. Eight parking garages centrally located in each of the five sections of the development offer more than 10,000 parking spaces for vehicle owners and transient parking.
Each of the three community centers (Dreiser, Bartow and Einstein) also offer rooms for rent for meetings, parties and other family events. There is also a wide array of stores in each shopping center, including grocery and convenience stores, restaurants, dry cleaners, medical offices and a U.S. Postal office.
In addition to local shopping centers, there are additional retail, dining and entertainment options at one of the largest shopping malls in New York City, the Mall at Bay Plaza, located right across from Co-op City. Public transportation makes travel to Manhattan for work or entertainment a relatively quick trip. Easy access to the New England Thruway (I-95) and Hutchinson River Parkway facilitate travel to New Jersey, Westchester, Connecticut and Long Island
Neighborhood Businesses
Bartow Shopping Mall
Name
Address
Phone
Dunkin Donuts
2035 Bartow Avenue
(718) 320-1590
Food Universe
2061A Bartow Avenue
(718) 320-0930
Advanced Tax Services
2089 Bartow Avenue
Amalgamated Bank of New York
2067 Bartow Avenue
(718) 671-1800
Metro PCS
2071 Bartow Avenue
(347) 947-4404
Chinese Buffet
2051 & 2053 Bartow Avenue
(718) 379-2200
Bartow Gourmet Deli
2045 Bartow Avenue
(718) 671-0717
Boost Mobile
2043B Bartow Avenue
(718) 684-2407
Buffalo Wild Wings
2059 Bartow Avenue
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Cohen Fashion Optical (Bronx Eye Care)
2075 Bartow Avenue
(718) 671-5666
Cold Stone
2069 Bartow Avenue
Bartow Ave Smiles
2063B Bartow Avenue
(718) 379-4734
Dollar Tree
2047 Bartow Avenue
(718) 379-4947
Gina Beauty Supply
2037 Bartow Avenue
(718) 379-0410
Sangria Cafe
2085 Bartow Avenue
(347) 843-6486
Bartow Stationery
2055 Bartow Avenue
(718) 379-7235
Invite Health
2043-A Bartow Avenue
(347) 843-6710
JR Barbershop
2093 Bartow Avenue
(347) 427-4441k
Nail Salon
2093A Bartow Avenue
(718) 320-2629
Spa Services
2091 Bartow Avenue
Capri IV Deli
2073 Bartow Avenue
(718) 320-3979
New York Public Library
2049 Asch Loop
(718) 379-6700
Richelle Unisex Salon
2031 Bartow Avenue
(718) 671-4922
Rite-Aid
2061 Bartow Avenue
(718) 379-7687
Z Family Liquors
2057 Bartow Avenue
(718) 379-2800
Statcare
2063-A Bartow Avenue
(718) 379-8800
Delta Art Gallery
2049 Bartow Avenue
(718) 671 8484
U-City Cleaners
2039 Bartow Avenue
(718) 320-0853
Bagels on Bartow
2033 Bartow Avenue
(718) 671-5696
Pizza Chop
2045A Bartow Avenue
(347) 352-1273
Vacant
2081 Bartow Avenue
Dreiser Shopping Mall
Name
Address
Phone
Food Universe
111 Dreiser Loop
(718) 671-7391
141 Dreiser Inc.
141 Dreiser Avenue
347-202-5883
Capri II Pizza
149 Dreiser Loop
(718) 671-3822
Dal Paint & Hardware
129A Dreiser Loop
(718) 671-7622
Dee Dee’s Braiding Boutique
161 Dreiser Loop
Dreiser Discount Store
105 Dreiser Loop
(347) 202-7917
Dreiser Health Plaza
145 Dreiser Loop
(347) 843-0900
Green Earth Apothecary
153 Dreiser Loop
(347) 275-6859
Green Pharmacy
133 Dreiser Loop
(718) 513-5889
Guang Hui Chinese Take-Out
125 Dreiser Loop
(718) 862-3288
H&R Block
169 Dreiser Loop
(718) 320-9865
Beauty Supply
121 Dreiser Loop
Jong's Fruit & Vegetables
137 Dreiser Loop
(718) 671-7418
King Community Pharmacy
165 Dreiser Loop
(347) 899-8080
Kennedy Fried Chicken
157 Dreiser Loop
(718) 671-3636
Payless Discount Liquor Store
117 Dreiser Loop
(718) 379-8087
Ranch Restaurant American & Caribbean Cuisine
129 Dreiser Loop
(646) 385-9527
Cuts City
133A Dreiser Loop
(718) 671-9505
Shree Naanshardama Convenience Store
113 Dreiser Loop
(718) 671-4040
Youth & Adult Kung Fu Services
167A Dreiser Loop
(718) 379-6725
Vacant
173 Dreiser Loop
LOWER PLAZA – DREISER MALL
Name
Address
Phone
Christopher Robinson
171 Dreiser Loop
(718) 379-6725
Sylvan Learning Center
115A Dreiser Loop
(347) 614-2737
U. S. Postal Service
179 Dreiser Loop
(718) 671-0648
Vacant
115B Dreiser Loop
Vacant
135 Dreiser Loop
Vacant
167 Dreiser Loop
SECOND LEVEL – DREISER MALL
Assemblyman Michael Benedetto
177 Dreiser Loop, Rm. 12
(718) 320-2220
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
177 Dreiser Loop, Rm. 3
(718) 530-7710
Einstein Shopping Mall
Name
Address
Phone
Food Universe
119 Einstein Loop
(718) 320-1297
Andy's Teriyaki & Taco
171 Einstein Loop
(718) 862-0191
Christina Pinero
167 Einstein Loop
(347) 449-7729
Co-op City Pharmacy
161 Einstein Loop
(718) 708-8171
H & M Food Corp.
131 Einstein Loop
(718) 379-9591
He & Jay Stationery
123 Einstein Loop
(718) 671-1647
Kilsis Hairstylists
173 Einstein Loop
(718) 671 8983
Jade Palace
163 Einstein Loop
(718) 320 1584
Section 5 Pizza
133 Einstein Loop
(718) 320-887
Townhouse Cleaners
181 Einstein Loop
(718) 379 0900
Mark Goodman Tax Center
137 Einstein Loop
(718) 379-5217
MNY Deli
159 Einstein Loop
(718) 320-5115
Mosholu Montefiore Teen Center
141 Einstein Loop
(718) 671-2655
Section 5 Barber Shop
165 Einstein Loop
Kim's Nails
177 Einstein Loop
(718) 671-7995
U.S. Postal Service
127-129 Einstein Loop
(718) 379-5891
Shoe Repair
175 Einstein Loop
(718) 379-6949
Vacant
169 Einstein Loop
SECOND FLOOR – Einstein Mall
Name
Address
Phone
City Councilman Kevin Riley
135 Einstein Loop
(347) 326-8652
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Neighborhood Schools
Nursery Schools
Name
Address
Phone
Allcare Provider Services, Inc.
100 Aldrich Street (Bldg. 15A)
(718) 618-0782
Building 16A Youth Group
620 Baychester Avenue
(718) 708-4014
Ciditty Kiddie Corp. (Bldg. 9A)
100 Dreiser Loop
(347) 346-5446
Ciditty Kiddie Corp. (Bldg. 31A)
100 Erskine Place
(646) 315-2507
Vacant
950 Baychester Avenue
Vacant
4180 Hutchinson River Pkwy
History
In December 2018, Co-op City celebrated its 50th anniversary as “the largest cooperative housing community in the nation” that stands “as a beacon of affordability, diversity, and cooperativism.”
The development was conceived by Abraham E. Kazan and sponsored by the United Housing Foundation (UHF), a coalition of labor unions established by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (ACW). Kazan later became Co-op City’s first president.
ACW president Sidney Hillman had successfully won Governor Al Smith’s support for the passage of the New York State Housing Act of 1926, which offered a 20-year tax exemption to limited-dividend corporations. In 1927, several decades before plans for Co-op City were on the drawing board, ACW developed its pioneer apartment complex, Amalgamated Housing Cooperative, a limited-equity multi-unit residence in the northwest Bronx, providing affordable housing for hundreds of families. The guiding force behind that project was Kazan.
Herman Jessor, Kazan’s chief architect, had already designed over 40,000 units for different projects sponsored by ACW and UHF. He, like Kazan, was an advocate for affordable housing for working people. Jessor believed in utilizing modern technology and insisted that his designers focus on speed and economy, a practice that significantly lowered cost.
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The concept of building Co-op City became a reality with the passage of Article II of the Private Housing Finance Law (better known as the Mitchell-Lama Law) in 1955 and the establishment of the state’s Housing Finance Agency (HFA). This body had the authority to sell low-interest, tax-free bonds to finance the building of Co-op City. Under the Mitchell-Lama (M-L) program, a total of 95,000 units in New York City, as well as upstate New York, came into being. The agency financed 90% of the construction cost of Co-op City.
The core mission of the M-L program was to build housing for middle-income working families, who were caught in a financial no-man’s land where, on one hand, they earned too much money to qualify for public housing, but on the other, could not afford to buy or rent on the open market. (M-L applicants were subjected to a maximum-income limitation.)
In the mid-1960s, Jacob Potofsky, then-president of ACW and head of Co-op City’s sponsoring group, UHF, campaigned for and won the support of Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Mayor Robert Wagner (and later, of Mayor John Lindsay) to build Co-op City. Among those who wielded shovels at Co-op City’s groundbreaking, on May 14, 1966, were some of the state’s most illustrious figures: Rockefeller, Lindsay, Co-op City President Kazan, Potofsky, then-Bronx Borough President Herman Badillo and Robert Moses, chairman of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. Also included among those wielding shovels were the children of Co-op City applicants.
Co-op City’s principles, which its shareholders have supported for half a century, include the following:
- To serve, not profit from, its residents.
- To maintain a cap on equity—apartments cannot be resold on the open market.
- To remain cooperative, owned by its cooperators and free of landlords.
Another of Co-op City’s principles is a policy of non-discriminatory diversity, a principle that is reflected in the findings of the 2010 Census which showed the community’s demographic composition as follows:
| Young people (less than 19 years old, 8,500) | 20% of the total Co-op City population |
| African Americans | 60.5% |
| Hispanics | 27.7% |
| Whites | 12.5% Others |
| Others | 10.5% |
One other notable feature of Co-op City is that it is the largest Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) in our nation: approximately 19,000 cooperators who are over 62 years old – many of whom have aged in place – live in the development, constituting nearly half (47%) of Co-op City’s entire population.
Diversity has played a role in making Co-op City a multi-generational, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, middle income cooperative. Other amenities that enhance the lives of shareholders include the park-like setting – 80% of the land remains open space.
Co-op City apartments are airy and spacious, with A/C, modern fixtures and flooring. The community operates three shopping centers, three community centers with meeting rooms and auditoriums and eight parking garages. On the grounds, there are also childcare centers, playgrounds, a public library and even an outdoor stage as well as a fire house; a former, but now vacant, cinema; and the only education park in New York City.
Co-op City also has the largest, non-utility company – a state-of-the-art trigeneration power plant that produces heat, hot and chilled water (for A/C during the summer) and electricity for the development. Charges for gas, water, electricity, and air conditioning are all included in shareholders’ monthly carrying charges. The community also has its own public safety department and weekly newspaper, the Co-op City Times.
Like all Mitchell-Lama cooperatives, Co-op City is supervised by the state’s division of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR). Riverbay Corporation, the corporate entity of Co-op City, receives a shelter-rent tax abatement, and senior citizens and cooperators with disabilities may be eligible for carrying charge increase exemptions through the city’s Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE).
Over the last 50 years, Co-op City shareholders have continued to support state funding of original construction defects and stress the necessity of keeping their homes affordable. Shareholders join in honoring the legacy they inherited from earlier generations of cooperators by being prepared to continue the fight that has made their development what it is today – a thriving community that’s still the best deal in town!
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Board of Directors
Co-op City shareholders are represented by a fifteen-member volunteer Board of Directors comprised of shareholders. The board provides guidance and oversight to the property managers, and ensures Co-op City is operated in a manner consistent with professional management practices. The board encourages shareholder involvement in governance of the community by joining board committees chaired by directors which allows for exchange of ideas and input among shareholders, directors and management personnel who attend committee meetings.
Riverbay Board elections are held annually. Any shareholder of record who meets criteria outlined in the annual Riverbay Board of Directors’ Election Rules & Regulations has a right to run for and be elected to the Riverbay Board of Directors, to elect directors and to participate in the annual shareholders meeting.
Mission Statement: “The mission of the Board of Directors of the Riverbay Corporation is to preserve affordable housing while maintaining an environment that provides and sustains a high quality of life standard for all cooperators.
“The Board of Directors will apply special focus on fostering an environment of cooperative living that supports a sense of community and that encourages shareholder participation in the overall governance of the residency.
“The Board will endeavor to always utilize responsible financial management that is transparent, of the highest standard of integrity; and is dedicated to providing effective business handling. The Board will conduct business on behalf of the Corporation in compliance with the Riverbay By-Laws, HUD/HCR Rules and Regulations, and all applicable federal, state and city laws.”
Current Board
Riverbay Board of Directors
2023-2024
Sonia Feliciano
President
Claudia Sampson
First Vice President
Bishop Angelo Rosario
Second Vice President
Kevin Lambright
Treasurer
Michelle Marbury
Assistant Treasurer
Bernard Cylich
Secretary
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OPEN
Assistant Secretary
Monique Coleman
Director
Anika Green-Watson
Director
Daryl Johnson
Director
Andrea Leslie
Director
Leslie Peterson
Director
Leah Richardson
Director
Rod Saunders
Director
Lynette Wright
Director
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Current Board
Riverbay Board of Directors
2023-2024
Sonia Feliciano
President
Claudia Sampson
First Vice President
Bishop Angelo Rosario
Second Vice President
Kevin Lambright
Treasurer
Michelle Marbury
Assistant Treasurer
Bernard Cylich
Secretary
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OPEN
Assistant Secretary
Monique Coleman
Director
Anika Green-Watson
Director
Daryl Johnson
Director
Andrea Leslie
Director
Leslie Peterson
Director
Leah Richardson
Director
Rod Saunders
Director
Lynette Wright
Director
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Co-op City Management
Riverbay Corporation contracted with Douglas Elliman Property Management (www.ellimanpm.com) in July 2016 to manage Co-op City. The Douglas Elliman onsite team, headed by Executive General Manager Marvin L. Walton since April 2023 and Assistant General Manager Cary Smith III, continue to build on the accomplishments of the previous executive management team headed by former Executive General Manager Bob Klehammer. Focus continues in the following areas:
- Partnering with the Riverbay Board of Directors to ensure accountability on all levels of the corporation;
- Continued improvements throughout the campus that enhance delivery of services and quality of life for families living in Co-op City;
- Documenting the “Current State” of the essential business functions of Riverbay Corporation;
- Advancing a “Future State” of the Corporation for consideration by the Board of Directors;
- Visibility on the campus to engage with Co-op City homeowners and assess conditions in the buildings and community at-large;
- Consistent communication with shareholders via the Co-op City Times and building/townhouse association meetings.
The managers have completed a number of legacy capital projects including new lobby entrances for residential buildings; Local Law 11 work; installation of a water treatment system in the Power Plant; modernization of all 160 residential elevators in the development’s high-rise buildings with state-of-the-art functionality; renovation of all laundry rooms with energy efficient washers, dryers and pay system; and installation of modern cabinets, fixtures and flooring in vacant apartments. Work also includes ongoing training for employees and improved business practices to ensure professional delivery of services to the community’s shareholders in the most fiscally responsible manner.
The Douglas Elliman team is supported by Riverbay Assistant General Manager Warren Mitchell and the corporation’s 22 operations and internal support departments.
Vendors
DOING BUSINESS WITH RIVERBAY
The Riverbay Procurement Services Department provides effective and efficient procedures for the acquisition of quality goods and services at the best competitive prices. The department is committed to ethical procedures conducted in compliance with NYS Division of Homes and Community Renewal (DHCR) guidelines and applicable policies.
Riverbay utilizes a wide variety of goods and services that include, but are not limited to:
- Construction – Local Law 11 restoration and repairs to building facades and balconies, concrete and sidewalk repairs
- Professional services – Architects, Engineers
- Information Technology (IT) products and services
- Office services and furniture
- Landscaping equipment and supplies
- Janitorial cleaning supplies and products
- Building materials – doors, paint, lumber, tiles, hand and power tools, etc.
Contractors, vendors and MWBE suppliers are encouraged to register on our list of qualified bidders. Click here to register:
https://riverbaycorp.procureware.com/Login
Riverbay Procurement Services department is located at 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx NY 10475; (718) 320-3300.
Commercial Leases
Interested in a commercial lease in Co-op City? The Riverbay Parking, Commercial Leasing and Storage department is located at 2049 Bartow Avenue, rm. 23, Bronx, NY 10475. For information or an appointment, you may contact the office at (718) 320-3300, press option 6.
Employment Opportunities
For employment opportunities, please visit the following links below:
Candidates may review full position descriptions and apply directly at either site.
Current Riverbay employees should submit a transfer request and resumé directly to the HR department, [emailprotected].
Thank you for your interest in working for Riverbay Corporation.
Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee an applicant an interview. Riverbay Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, creed, ethnicity, alienage, citizenship, color, religion, national origin, age, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, disability or any other recognized protected basis under any applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Please inform Human Resources if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.
To contact Human Resources, you may send an email to [emailprotected], or call (718) 320-3300, ext. 3420.
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