What you should know
- Sea level is expected to rise about 2.5 feet by the 2050s, resulting in regular and repeated flooding during high tides.
- According to the New York City Climate Change Panel, if no action is taken the coastline of the seaport could flood monthly within the next 25 years due to rising sea levels.
- In response, the City plans to use the $ 110 million to begin coastal recovery work on the historic Seaport District, which is especially vulnerable due to its low elevation.
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NEW YORK – New York City will allocate $ 110 million to a new capital project to help address sea level rise and storm surge that together pose a serious threat to the Lower Manhattan area.
The investment, announced Tuesday by Mayor Bill de Blasio, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the Mayor’s Office of Climate Resilience (MOCR), comes as part of plans against the effects of the climate change.
“As we approach the ninth anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, we must ensure that families, businesses and communities in Lower Manhattan, one of the most densely populated parts of our city, are protected from the accelerating effects of change. climate, “said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This project does just that, ensuring that some of the most vulnerable areas can continue to thrive for generations to come.”
According to the New York City Climate Change Panel, if no action is taken the coastline of the seaport could flood monthly within the next 25 years due to rising sea levels.
Sea level is expected to rise about 2.5 feet by the 2050s, resulting in regular and repeated flooding during high tides. In response, the City plans to use the $ 110 million to begin coastal recovery work on the historic Seaport District, which is especially vulnerable due to its low elevation.
The proposed project, which will be subject to an appropriate review, will rebuild and raise the existing bulkhead and improve drainage in the area from approximately the Brooklyn Bridge to Pier 17.
These efforts will protect about 15 acres of historic Lower Manhattan and prevent up to $ 400 million in damage and long-term erosion of the district anticipated as a result of chronic flooding. Additionally, the project will continue to help improve waterfront access for New Yorkers and help position the city to apply for the federal funds necessary to safeguard all of Lower Manhattan.
This critical project in the Seaport District is a standalone component of a broader strategy to be outlined in the upcoming NYCEDC and MOCR Seaport and Financial District Climate Resilience Master Plan, which will identify viable solutions to safeguard a mile of unprotected coastline. in one of the most complex areas of the city.
The full plan is expected to be published by the end of the year. The master plan is part of the larger Lower Manhattan Coastal Resilience (LMCR) initiative, supported by $ 800 million in City investments to protect Lower Manhattan and New Yorkers from the threats of climate change.
Protecting Lower Manhattan is imperative to the city’s overall coastal resilience strategy because it is home to one of the nation’s largest business districts, and flooding will put traffic, serving millions, at risk, along with critical infrastructure and facilities. jobs.
With 75% of our subway lines and the nation’s most popular ferry lines, millions of people from all five boroughs and three states travel through Lower Manhattan every day. The area holds a diversity of jobs, including small business owners, construction workers, construction service providers, and those working in the healthcare, technology, and finance industries. A protected Lower Manhattan shoreline protects jobs and critical infrastructure that serves all New Yorkers.
For information on what the tri-state area is doing to combat climate change visit this website.
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