The Bronx’s own ‘city within a city’ is nearing an incredible milestone!
Co-op City, the largest middle-income housing development in the nation, will commemorate its half century anniversary with a gala celebration on Monday, December 10 from 6 to 11 p.m. at Marina del Rey Caterers.
Local, city-wide and state-wide elected officials are set to attend the special occasion.
The evening begins with a cocktail hour, open bar and hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and a reception at 7 p.m.
The menu includes filet mignon and shrimp scampi and a champagne toast.
Tickets cost $125 which includes a cocktail hour, dinner and open bar.
The Riverbay Corporation and board members for Co-op City will collaborate with Cristina Verger Events to establish a year-long celebration consisting of six monthly ‘satellite’ events.
These smaller events will take place in Co-op City and conclude with Co-op City’s annual Fireworks Display on Wednesday, July 3.
Linda Berk, Riverbay Corporation president, has resided at Co-op City since she and her mother moved into their apartment in December 1968.
Upon returning from college in 1988, Berk’s mother suddenly passed away and she moved into the apartment where she continues living in today.
Berk sees her neighborhood as a diverse, welcoming community worthy of recognition.
“Here I am 50 years later and I knew in my heart of hearts that I couldn’t let this anniversary slip by unnoticed,” expressed Berk.
Bernard Cylich, Riverbay Corporation board member, has been a resident for 48 years and shared in its history.
According to Cylich, Co-op City was constructed between 1966 and 1973 by developer Riverbay and sponsor United Housing Foundation on marshland.
He clarified that Co-op City was not built entirely on the 205-acre national theme park Freedomland, formerly located south of Bartow Avenue.
The development was constructed on a landfill surrounded by the original marshland.
Its 15,372 residential units in 35 high rise buildings ranging from 24 to 33 floors high and seven townhouses are situated on 320-acres, however only 20% of the land was developed.
Approximately 80% of the land is open space housing eight parking facilities, a 25-acre educational park, daycare facilities, three shopping centers, greenways, four basketball courts, Co-op City Little League, 15 houses of worship, a power plant and a fire house.
Co-op City is home to three different type of hi-rise buildings: the 26-story, 500-unit Triple Core; the 24-story, 414-unit Chevron and the 33-story, 414-unit Tower.
Its three-story 236 townhouses feature a ground level garden apartment and an upper duplex 3-bedroom apartment on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
Enduring issues of bribery, kick-backs, corruption, theft and construction defects, Co-op City rose beyond everyone’s expectations to become the largest affordable, diverse, cooperative community in the nation, said Cylich.
Approximately 700 families have resided there continuously since Co-op City’s humble beginning.
To purchase tickets, visit www.co-op
For questions, contact (347) 913-4226.
