A federal award for flood protection in lower Manhattan builds on over $100 million New York City has committed to this project, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.
"The risks of climate change are real – and we're seeing them yet again this weekend with another coastal flood warning in effect," de Blasio said Jan. 22. Earlier that week, the Department of Housing and Urban Development committed $176 million for the "Protect and Connect" integrated flood protection program.
According to de Blasio, preliminary design and community engagement will begin in the spring on an accelerated schedule, and will the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project for Manhattan's lower East Side.
In August, city officials announced a capital commitment of $100 million. That followed a March 2015 announcement of nearly $15 million for lower Manhattan resiliency that included nearly $7 million from the city and state for preliminary design and environmental review and a further $8 million in city capital funds for Battery Park first-phase flood protection design and implementation.
