New York Senator Charles E. Schumer’s (D) office announced Tuesday that the City of New Rochelle will receive $1,839,599.10 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reimburse the city for repairs already made and to fund future repairs.
Earlier this month, the city secured $1.4 million from FEMA to pay for repair work on the marina and its docks.
The combined funding will cover 90 percent of the total cost of rebuilding and rehabilitation, according to Schumer. New Rochelle has already spent $1 million on repairing the park and marina, in addition to other expenses the city incurred.
“This second round of critical FEMA funding is just what New Rochelle needs,” said New York’s second senator, Kirsten Gillibrand (D). “We must ensure New Rochelle is able to rebuild and recover. New Rochelle will put this investment to good use, continuing to repair and rebuild its municipal marina area and docks, with stronger infrastructure that can withstand the storms of the future.”
During Hurricane Sandy, winds of 75 miles per hour and a 10-foot storm surge damaged sea walls, swimming area access ramps, and structural elements at Hudson Park Beach. At the adjacent Municipal Marina, the storm damaged docks and flooded the Marina Office.
In the aftermath of the storm, FEMA deemed New Rochelle’s rebuilding project eligible for reimbursement. Shortly after, this decision was retracted and FEMA declared that Hurricane Sandy did not cause the damage. The city was then forced to hire additional engineers to prove that the damage the park sustained was indeed caused by the storm.
New Rochelle was unable to proceed with repairs until their application for federal aid was approved. The city could not afford to spend any additional funding until it was reimbursed for repairs already made, and assured that it will be reimbursed for future repairs. Because of this, the rebuilding project is less that 10 percent complete.
“We went to bat for New Rochelle when bureaucratic red tape was keeping this important rehabilitation project from getting off the ground, and we are pleased that FEMA has heeded our call to swiftly release these funds to make the full reconstruction a reality,” said Senator Schumer.
“The Hudson Park beach and municipal Marina, some of New Rochelle’s best family locations, suffered damage and devastation following Hurricane Sandy, and these funds will help the city rebuild so that the Hudson Park and Marina can thrive again.
