Mayor de Blasio announced today that more money will be pouring into Lower Manhattan for storm protection. The federal government has already awarded $335 million to the city for a bridging berm from 23rd Street to Montgomery Street. From the mayor’s press release put out a short time ago:
Mayor de Blasio announced today that the City is committing millions of dollars to further resiliency planning and implementation around Lower Manhattan, part of a comprehensive climate adaptation plan underway across the five boroughs. This includes $6.75 million from the City and State for comprehensive flood protection planning below Montgomery Street and around the tip of Lower Manhattan to the west side, and another $8 million in City capital funds for Battery Park flood protection design and implementation — both aimed at protecting Lower Manhattan residents, businesses, and infrastructure from future extreme weather while enhancing the vitality of the area.
People who live below Montgomery Street were dismayed that the initial flood protection plan excluded their section of the waterfront. The funding announced today will not be anything close to what will be required to build flood barriers similar to the ones planned alongside East River Park, but it’s at least something.
Two public meetings are coming up to solicit feedback from locals about the city’s resiliency plans. Click here for more details.
UPDATE 3/16 TUFF-LES, a tenant coalition along the waterfront, put out a statement late last night. It thanks everyone who advocated for additional funding, but adds:
…we recognize that much more will need to be done to fully ensure we are able to implement adequate flood protection along the entire vulnerable stretch of the lower East River waterfront. Trever Holland, President of Two Bridges Tower Residents Association… said, “We are encouraged by this additional funding for storm protection planning and remain optimistic that we will see tangible results in the near future.” Holland also points out, “The Two Bridges area needs short-term, interim solutions for storm protection now. We cannot afford to wait for another Sandy.” This is particularly true if monies allocated continue to fall short of what is needed for a long-term, permanent solution. The President of the Land’s End One Tenant Association (LEOTA) and member of TUFF-LES, Aaron Gonzalez said in stated testimony to CB3 regarding the Obama Administration’s $16 Billion Disaster Relief and specifically Compartment 2 funding, “…NYC was given over $4 Billion. So it can’t be said that there’s No Money.” for flood protection below Montgomery Street. Nevertheless, this is a positive step which we welcome…
This is welcomed news and at the very least a step in the right direction; but much more will need to be allocated as this article alludes to ensure flood protection is adequate & consistent throughout the entire vulnerable stretch of the lower East River waterfront.
You folks who suffered damage from Hurricane Sandy and didn’t see a dime of FEMA relief money (i.e., all of you)…if you were wondering where all that money went, here it is.