SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, DONOVAN & DE BLASIO ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $100 MILLION IN FEMA FUNDING FOR STATEN ISLAND HOMEPORT, HOWLAND HOOK CONTAINER TERMINAL, AND OTHER VITAL WATERFRONT INVESTMENTS
$103 Million In FEMA Funds Will Repair Damage To Buildings, Mechanical Equipment, Pier, And Substation At Homeport And Make Improvements To Vulnerable Shoreline And Other Vital Infrastructure
$2.9 Million In FEMA Funds Will Help Mitigate Flood Damage At Howland Hook Container Terminal
Senators Charles Schumer and Kirstin Gillibrand, Congressman Dan Donovan, and Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced $103 million in federal funding to repair Sandy damage to the Staten Island Homeport, while also making improvements to vulnerable shorelines and other vital waterfront assets. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under authority of Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Act and will go to the City of New York to repair damages to buildings, replace mechanical equipment, and reinforce structural damage. In addition, $2.9 million in FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding was announced for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey proposed project at Howland Hook Terminal. The proposed project aims to mitigate subgrade degradation from flood waters at Howland Hook Container Terminal.
“Superstorm Sandy badly damaged the Staten Island Homeport, a necessary piece of the ongoing transformation along the waterfront. It is great news that FEMA is providing $103 million in federal funding for repairs to the Staten Island Homeport so that this area can continue on the path to revitalization,” said Senator Schumer. “I am also pleased to announce nearly $3 million in FEMA hazard mitigation funding, which will help make sure Howland Hook Container Terminal – a cornerstone of the Staten Island economy – is protected against flood waters in the future.”
“This critical FEMA funding will help provide much needed resources to facilitate repairs to the Howland Hook Container Terminal and renovations to the Homeport buildings and pier on Staten Island,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Superstorm Sandy devastated our communities; securing these funds are a critical part of our ongoing recovery and will help rebuild our infrastructure even stronger so we can be prepared when the next storm hits.”
Congressman Dan Donovan said, “This investment will help the City and community continue transforming the underutilized Homeport into an economic and housing hub. It’s one piece of the North Shore’s larger revitalization. I’m grateful to FEMA and the City for dedicating resources and attention to the facility’s Superstorm Sandy damage, as well as to Howland Hook Container Terminal.”
"Over $100 million in new federal funds will go a long way toward rebuilding a stronger and more resilient waterfront - including the continued revitalization of Homeport and the North Shore," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We're grateful to FEMA for these key funds, and to our congressional partners for continuing to fight for the resources Staten Island and New York City need."
In 2003, the City, elected officials, and community representatives established the Homeport Task Force to develop plans for the decommissioned naval base. Eight years later, the City selected a contractor to begin developing the site. Superstorm Sandy caused significant damage to critical infrastructure and buildings at the Homeport. Staten Island Homeport had extensive damage to the warehouse and boiler buildings, the pier, and the electrical substation. The Underground conduit connected with nine buildings, parking lots and roadways were also submerged and destroyed at Bush Terminal. FEMA’s allocation will fund repairs and bring the Homeport closer to becoming a community and economic resource for the North Shore.
According to FEMA, the proposed work at Howland Hook seeks to reduce the potential for subgrade degradation due to flood waters at the Howland Hook Container Terminal. The project proposes to mitigate subgrade degradation from flood waters through the full reconstruction of the area. Phase I of this Project will allow for Project Engineering Design and Permitting.
###
