STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Residents of the long-neglected Park Hill Apartments have been dealing with overflowing dumpsters and scattered trash for years, but there’s some hope that a recent change in ownership and management could finally see this issue addressed.
The Advance/SILive.com recently obtained photos highlighting the squalid conditions surrounding the Park Hill Apartment’s garbage pick-up location.
The photos show all manners of trash strewn about the ground, as the dumpsters at the location had already reached their maximum capacities.
Trash is seen overflowing from the dumpsters and scattered about the ground at the Park Hill Apartments in January 2026. (Third-party-submitted)Third-party-submitted
The overwhelming buildup of trash has been a recurring issue at the location for years, with the Advance/SILive.com previously reporting on similar conditions in 2019 and 2021.
A Department of Sanitation representative said that trash buildup on private property is the responsibility of the property owner and that the Park Hill Apartments receive the same, twice-weekly pickups as every other building on Staten Island.
The representative also noted that the department had issued more than 200 cleanliness-related summonses to the property in 2025, alone.
Trash is seen overflowing from the dumpsters and scattered about the ground at the Park Hill Apartments in January 2026. (Third-party-submitted)Third-party-submitted
The department has had numerous conversations with both the previous and current owners about the issue and potential solutions, which include an investment in roll-on-roll-off containers, additional standard containers or a supplemental trash pickup service.
“While we will continue to have conversations with the property management company about potential solutions, the property owner is responsible for investing in these solutions, as all property owners across New York City are responsible for keeping their properties clean,” the representative said.
Trash is seen overflowing from the dumpsters and scattered about the ground at the Park Hill Apartments in January 2026. (Third-party-submitted)Third-party-submitted
While the persistent issue was never addressed by the previous owner of the eight-building apartment complex, Michael Shah, who is the founder and CEO of DelShah Capital, a recent ownership change could finally lead to a cleaner Park Hill.
Last month, various local elected officials gathered outside 180 Park Hill Avenue to announce a change in ownership and massive $165 million rehabilitation project coming to the apartment complex.
The project will be led by the apartments’ new ownership group — a joint venture of The Arker Companies, L+M Development Partners and LIHC Investment Group — which has rehabilitated tens of thousands of affordable housing units across the five boroughs in recent years.
Trash is seen overflowing from the dumpsters and scattered about the ground at the Park Hill Apartments in January 2026. (Third-party-submitted)Third-party-submitted
A representative from Progressive Management, the property management subsidiary of the Arker Companies, told the Advance/SILive.com that the rehabilitation plan includes enhanced trash containerization and other cleanliness improvements.
“As we begin management of Park Hill, we are working urgently to improve quality of life for residents. As part of the comprehensive rehabilitation efforts, we are undertaking expansive cleaning and trash removal, extensive extermination, and developing enhanced security in buildings. We look forward to delivering meaningful results for residents,” a Progressive Management spokesperson said.
Trash is seen overflowing from the dumpsters and scattered about the ground at the Park Hill Apartments in January 2026. (Third-party-submitted)Third-party-submitted