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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 240-03
September 2, 2003

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND COMMISSIONER CHRISTOPHER O. WARD ANNOUNCES $110 MILLION RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT TO ALLEVIATE FLOODING IN SPRINGFIELD GARDENS

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Christopher O. Ward and Councilmember James Sanders announced today that the City is undertaking a $110 million reconstruction project in Springfield Gardens in Southern Queens, to alleviate flooding. Springfield Gardens is a low-lying area of private homes that has long been subjected to flooding and property damage during heavy rainstorms.  The project, which will be constructed in phases, will improve the neighborhood’s sanitary sewers, water mains, streets, sidewalks and utilities.  The area has been developed over many decades without the benefit of adequate storm drainage because it is a low-lying area that is surrounded by wetlands that trap the rainwater and prevent proper drainage into Jamaica Bay.  Because of existing development in this neighborhood, a conventional in-ground storm water system could not be constructed.  The project instead uses nearby tidal wetland to collect runoff and redirect water away from the community instead of relying on conventional drainage systems. The innovative approach capitalizes on lessons learned by DEP engineers while constructing the Bluebelt in Staten Island, and makes use of existing terrain features to bring relief to local residents.

“It gives me great pleasure to be able to announce the next phase of this project,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “The approximately 34,000 residents of the Springfield Gardens community, long under-served because of traditional sewers could not be built, will finally receive relief from floods that have plagued them for decades.  Storm sewers and catch basins will be built where none existed and new sanitary sewers and water mains will be installed.  The City will also provide street and sidewalk reconstruction to ensure that roadways are at legal grade.  This is an example of creative thinking benefiting New Yorkers, and I congratulate the DEP and the other City agencies for their innovative approach to solving this problem.”
 
“DEP has been seeking a way to alleviate the ongoing flooding problems in this area for more than 30 years, and we believe we’ve made a good start toward that end,” said Commissioner Ward.  “The key was the creative use of a nearby tidal wetland for conveyance and storage or storm runoff in place of a traditional storm water pipe system.  These wetlands can now provide an outlet point for the entire area where none existed before.  We’re pleased to be able to provide funds to replace the water and sewer services, and we hope that residents of Springfield Gardens will be able to stop crossing their fingers every time it rains.”

The success of this project hinges upon the use of naturally occurring wetlands to redirect water flow away from developed areas.  A new channel was also built parallel to Rockaway Boulevard to take advantage of a second existing culvert that crosses the Boulevard.  The lessons learned during design of the Bluebelt Program in Staten Island have enabled the City to engineer solutions to address other neighborhoods with chronic flooding problems. This innovative solution to a long-standing flooding problem was strongly welcomed by local property-owners.

Work on Phase 1 of the Springfield Gardens project commenced last fall and was recently completed in what is primarily an airfreight industrial area, bounded by Rockaway Boulevard on the south between Porter Road and 183rd Street.  Phase 1 also included expansion of a nearby wetlands area to act as the point of discharge for storm water runoff.  Phase 2 will begin this week to service a primarily residential area bounded by the Belt Parkway to the north, Guy Brewer Boulevard to the west, 147th Road to the south and Springfield Boulevard to the east.  Phase 2 construction will begin on 147th Avenue and Guy Brewer Boulevard and is expected to take about 18 months to complete.  A third phase, currently being reviewed for bid, will include an area within South Conduit Avenue to the north, Guy Brewer to the east, and Rockaway Boulevard to the west and will last 18 months.

DEP is also working on a concept for a fourth phase at the outlet of Springfield Lake, which will provide significant relief to the area around 147th Avenue and 224th Street.  This location has also been plagued with significant flooding problems.  Phase 4 is scheduled to begin in 2006, and will bring the total of all spending on the program to $110 million to alleviate the storm water management problems in this neighborhood.  Work is being coordinated to minimize disruptions to local community residents and DEP is planting grass and shrubs to restore plant life that might have been disturbed during construction.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Edward Skyler / Jordan Barowitz   (212) 788-2958

Charlie Sturken / Ian Michaels   (DEP)
(718) 595-6600




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