The city plans to dedicate $100 million to extend East River flood protection below Montgomery Street. Mayor de Blasio will make the announcement during a 2 p.m. emergency preparedness fair at the Alfred E. Smith Houses.
Residents living in the Two Bridges area were dismayed when they learned that $335 million awarded by the federal government to NYC would be used exclusively to build a flood barrier between East 23rd Street and the area just above Pier 42. According to the Daily News, the new city funding will partially fund an extension of the barrier all the way to the top of Battery Park City.
The city is participating in a design competition sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development for up to $500 million in flood protection funding. If more federal money is made available, the new plans could become more elaborate. Next month, designers working with the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency will unveil a concept plan for the area above Montgomery Street. It includes improved access to the East River, new recreational areas and a system of levees and flood walls.
