SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, VELAZQUEZ ANNOUNCE OVER $8 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR SANDY-HAMMERED RED HOOK, BROOKLYN RECREATION CENTER
Funding Will Be Used To Repair the Damaged Red Hook Recreation Center
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and U.S. Representative Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-07) today announced $8,038,976.40 in federal funding for the New York Office of Management and Budget. These federal funds are administered through U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and will be used to repair the Red Hook Recreation Center in Brooklyn, a New York City Department of Parks and Recreation facility. The center suffered architectural, electrical, and mechanical floodwater damage to its sub-level facilities due to Superstorm Sandy.
“Red Hook was devastated by Superstorm Sandy, and these funds will rebuild and fortify a key community institution, the Red Hook Recreation Center, to once again be an asset to the whole community,” said Senator Schumer. “These federal funds will help make Red Hook Recreation Center’s infrastructure stronger than before and provide a vital indoor recreational space for the people of this wonderful community."
“Communities across New York are still recovering from the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This federal funding to the Red Hook Recreation Center is a critical investment that will help flood-proof its basement facilities to protect the center from future severe weather. I will always fight for the resources our communities need to fully recover after Superstorm Sandy."
“Sandy hit hard many parts of New York, including Red Hook. Sadly, if climate change continues, we may well see additional superstorms in coming years, making it all the more important that we invest in storm resiliency. Flood proofing the Red Hook Recreation Center is one such step that can protect this public resource from future extreme weather and I’m proud to see federal funds invested for this purpose,” said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez.
“The story of Red Hook after Hurricane Sandy is a story of resilience. This was one of the hardest hit neighborhoods in New York City, and I started my career in public service helping Red Hook residents get back on their feet. It’s a welcome and long overdue moment to finally receive FEMA funding for the Red Hook Recreation Center. Restoring this facility is acknowledgement of this center’s importance not just to Red Hook, but the entire City,” said City Council Member Carlos Menchaca.
FEMA provided this funding through its Public Assistance Grant Program (PA), which provides grants to government organizations and private nonprofit organizations after an official major disaster declaration. The purpose of PA is to help communities recover from and respond to disasters and emergencies quickly. The PA for this project is authorized under Section 428 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
###
