U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, along with Congress Woman Nydia Velázquez, on Jan. 10 announced $28.7 million in federal funding was secured for the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation to replace infrastructure damaged during Hurricane Sandy and bolster resilience against future extreme weather.
The funds, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will be used to replace boilers and fuel oil tanks damaged by Sandy’s storm surge and to elevate the steam-generating structure above flood elevation standards, according to a press release.
“I’m proud to deliver this massive FEMA funding award to replace Sandy-damaged infrastructure at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a critical center for urban manufacturing and innovation with 500+ businesses along the Brooklyn waterfront,” said Schumer.
Gillibrand emphasized the importance of preparing for future weather events. “Hurricane Sandy decimated parts of our city and infrastructure, including at the Brooklyn Navy Yard,” said Gillibrand. “This federal funding will be essential to ensuring that the Brooklyn Navy Yard has the needed resources like boilers and fuel tanks to operate at full capacity."
Lindsay Greene, president and chief executive officer of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation said state funding would enable infrastructure restoration, modernization, and resilience projects to safeguard the Navy Yard from climate change impacts.
"Since Superstorm Sandy struck, I’ve been working to secure federal support to help the Brooklyn Navy Yard recover and remain a vital hub for commerce and economic activity in our city,” Velázquez said. “These funds will finally repair the damage from Sandy and strengthen the Navy Yard’s infrastructure to handle future storms."
Hurricane Sandy’s 2012 landfall caused extensive damage at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, including 48 inches of brackish water flooding building 41A. Critical components such as electrical motors, wiring, plumbing, and control systems associated with the steam boilers were heavily damaged. While operations resumed quickly post-storm, parts of the infrastructure have required long-term restoration and fortification.
