Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the continued progress in reconstructing bulkheads and sea walls destroyed by Superstorm Sandy in the community of Sea Gate.
The project, at an estimated cost of $2.8 million, is moving forward after a thorough state vetting through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the support of Brooklyn Representatives Jerrold Nadler and Hakeem Jeffries. The initiative was developed and supported by the local NY Rising Community Reconstruction Committee in Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Manhattan Beach and Sea Gate, which has proposed multiple ideas to make the community more resilient following recent storms.
“ Superstorm Sandy damaged the shoreline of many communities, making it harder for New Yorkers to protect their homes from severe weather ,” Governor Cuomo said. “ Advancing this project will help Sea Gate and Coney Island continue to recover from this storm and help defend against ones in the future. It is important to rebuild, and here in New York we are building back better and more resilient than before .”
As part of the proposal, Sea Gate seeks to repair and rebuild its bulkhead and sea wall which suffered severe damage from Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. Once serving as the main form of protection against erosion, flooding and storm surges to nearby homes, the infrastructure now faces multiple breaches and breaks, centrifugal cracks, heavy separation of joints, concentric misalignments and the intrusion of sand and debris throughout the streets, homes and sewer systems.
In most areas, the bulkhead that previously safeguarded the community has been completely destroyed, putting parts of Coney Island and other surrounding neighborhoods at-risk.
The project, which was developed by the local NY Rising Community Reconstruction Committee, would complement the State’s adjacent coastal erosion efforts in collaboration with the City of New York and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As one of 45 “Round 1” NY Rising Community Reconstruction Communities, the Committee additionally represents the areas of Brighton Beach, Coney Island and Manhattan Beach. Comprised of 14 local residents, business and non-profit leaders, the Committee is eligible for up to $22.3 million to implement projects developed through a bottom-up planning process.
Striving to empower storm-impacted communities throughout the State, the NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program is coordinated by the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery.