Statement From Mayor Bill de Blasio Applauding $176 Million Award for Lower Manhattan Flood

January 22, 2016

City’s Comprehensive Resiliency Plan Addresses Growing Climate Risks – Clear Yet Again this Weekend with Coastal Flood Warning in Effect
New $176 Million Builds on Over $100 Million Already Allocated by Mayor de Blasio
Mayor Bill de Blasio released the following statement on the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s National Disaster Resilience Competition award of $176 million to the City for its Lower Manhattan integrated flood protection system:

"The risks of climate change are real – and we’re seeing them yet again this weekend with another coastal flood warning in effect. HUD’s commitment of $176 million for our Lower Manhattan: Protect and Connect integrated flood protection system recognizes the importance of the comprehensive OneNYC resiliency plan we’re implementing across the city. 

HUD’s award builds on over $100 million the City has already committed to this project, which will begin preliminary design and community engagement this spring on an expedited schedule. And it will complement the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project we’re aggressively moving forward on the Lower East Side, and the many other short- and long-term initiatives in our plan.

We’re grateful to all of the elected officials, community organizations, and stakeholders that helped make this happen. We look forward to continuing to partner with HUD and local communities as we keep building out vital resiliency measures in Lower Manhattan and across the city."