AFTER YEARS-LONG EFFORT, SCHUMER & MADDEN ANNOUNCE KICKOFF OF TROY SEAWALL RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT; SENATOR SAYS REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS TO SEAWALL ARE KEY TO THE CONTINUED REBIRTH OF DOWNTOWN TROY AND WILL PROTECT COMMUNITY FROM FUTURE FLOODING DAMAGE
The Troy Seawall, Which Protects The City’s Primary Sewer Line, Was Severely Compromised During Tropical Storm Irene In 2011, Leaving The City Susceptible To Major Environmental And Economic Catastrophe
Senator Schumer Committed To Funding The Troy Seawall Reconstruction In 2014; Announces Kickoff Of Work To Shield The City From Flooding And Spur Economic Development
Today, standing with Troy Mayor Patrick Madden, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced the kickoff of the Troy Seawall reconstruction. Senator Schumer said that the project will cost a total of $14,198,850, and will be funded entirely by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Schumer explained that repairs and improvements to this infrastructure have been desperately needed for years after the seawall was severely damaged by repeated flooding, erosion, ice flows, and Tropical Storm Irene. Senator Schumer has long fought for this project, as rebuilding the seawall will both prevent the risk of future flood damage and encourage private investment in the Troy waterfront. Additionally, Schumer praised Troy Mayor Patrick Madden, former Mayor Lou Rosamilla and the City of Troy for their tireless work and never giving up on this project.
“Today’s kickoff was years in the making, and restoring the Troy Seawall will not only protect the Hudson River waterfront by preventing future flood damage but also increase economic investment in the waterfront and the entire community,” said Senator Schumer. “Troy is experiencing a resurgence; I am proud of both the role I played to deliver the millions in funds needed to help get this project underway and the tireless efforts of Mayor Madden and former Mayor Lou Rosamilla, without which this project would not be moving forward. I know that the completion of these renovations will spur further investment in the Troy waterfront by ensuring that businesses and residents are protected from the storms of the future, and I promise to keep fighting tooth and nail to ensure that Troy and cities across Upstate New York have the resources they need to repair and protect their infrastructure for generations to come.”
Schumer explained that New York State had previously deemed the Troy Seawall project as a top priority for the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), and with FEMA approving the project and its second tranche of funding to begin construction in 2016, the city can commence work on the repairs and renovations. HMGP provides grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. The purpose of HMGP is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster. HMGP is authorized under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
Schumer said that the kickoff of the Troy Seawall project is long overdue. The wall was initially constructed in 1922 and underwent repairs in 1978, 40 years ago. Climate change, increased ice flows, erosion and other naturally occurring events like Tropical Storm Irene, deeply damaged the wall, and severely compromised the integrity of the seawall, which also protects sewer systems and stabilizes a nearby building. Schumer also added, a pipe carrying raw sewage runs within 15 to 25 feet of the seawall and, if the seawall had seen further damaged, the sewage line could have easily been punctured, potentially causing an environmental disaster in the Hudson River and an economic disaster in nearby communities. Schumer said now with the project set to begin, the City of Troy finally has all the resources needed to protect the seawall to the benefit of generations to come.
In recent years, Schumer explained, the City of Troy has undergone a major revitalization effort. However, that effort to bring new life and business into the community was under constant threat from the compromised seawall. Schumer said now that construction can begin on the seawall, the City of Troy can build on the continued revitalization of the downtown area. The construction along the waterfront will further develop the area and provide more housing opportunities, including the One Monument Square project, The Hudson and Dockside Lofts projects, Riverfront Park North expansion, and upgrades to the Troy Dock and Marina. Schumer said now that construction on the Seawall is fully funded and set to begin, Troy can move forward with these invaluable projects that will bring major economic development to the area.
Schumer also commended Troy Mayor Patrick Madden, former Mayor Lou Rosamilla, and the City of Troy for working with him hand-in-hand to move this project forward, saying that this project would not be happening without their tireless efforts.
Schumer was joined by Mayor Patrick Madden.
“Waterfront cities like Troy have experienced firsthand the devastating impact of severe weather and flooding events and the need for new investment in protective features like our seawall bulkheads. The planned structural upgrades and improvements as part of the seawall stabilization project will enhance the resiliency of the shoreline, providing enhanced protection for vital sewer infrastructure assets and local businesses located along the Hudson River while laying a new foundation for a stronger future for our waterfront. We express our thanks to Senator Schumer and our federal, state & local partners for their assistance and support for this important effort, and are thrilled to move this significant project forward,” said Mayor Patrick Madden.
In the months immediately after Tropical Storm Irene, the City of Troy reached out to Senator Schumer's office to request assistance in fixing the damaged seawall. Schumer's office worked closely with the Rosamilia Administration as they did a damage assessment study. In April 2014 Schumer visited the Riverfront Park with Mayor Rosamilia and members of the Downtown Business Improvement District and pledged to fight for this money. Schumer successfully secured millions of dollars in funding for the project, including more money than the city initially asked for. The total cost of the Troy Seawall project as submitted by New York State is $14,198,850, with FEMA paying for 100 percent of the project. Schumer has aggressively pushed for the Troy Seawall reconstruction project; in 2014, Schumer secured more than $1.3 million for phase I of this project, which allowed for engineering and design work to be completed. Then in 2016, Schumer announced an additional $12.9 million in federal funding for phase 2 of the project, in order to fund the upgrade of the bulkhead wall to protect and mitigate the wall from potential breaches, maintain the structural integrity, and protect adjacent structures. With all of the necessary funds secured, renovations fully planned, and all necessary permits obtained, Schumer explained, the city can at last begin construction and continue the waterfront’s rebirth.
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