on Jun 12, 2014
Funding Awarded to Rebuild by Design Projects to Protect and Enhance the Region
On Monday, June 2, HUD Secretary Donovan, Mayor de Blasio, Governor Cuomo, Governor Christie, and Senator Schumer announced two HR&A-supported proposals as recipients of funding for HUD’s Rebuild by Design competition. HR&A contributed to these proposals with an economic framework for resiliency investments and a public-private approach to implementation that draws on project value for funding.
Hunts Point Lifelines. Image Courtesy of Olin
HUD announced a $230 million award for implementation of the first phase of the OMA team proposal for a Comprehensive Urban Water Management Strategy to defend the community of Hoboken, New Jersey, and neighboring areas in Weehawken and Jersey City. The strategy includes a four-pronged effort to resist storm surge with new coastal defenses; delay and store precipitation with a citywide green infrastructure network; and discharge floodwater via an enhanced network of stormwater pumps.
HUD also announced a $20 million award for further study of “Hunts Point Lifelines,” a project led by PennDesign/OLIN for which HR&A provided market and economic analysis. “Lifelines” envisions a peninsula-wide resiliency strategy, including a perimeter levee that incorporates recreational access to the waterfront, a network of cleanways that function as both stormwater mitigation and roadway improvements, and an independent district energy grid that ensures continued food access during storm emergencies.
The Commercial Corridor Resiliency Project: Red Hook
HR&A also led a finalist team with Cooper, Robertson & Partners, focused on the resiliency and vitality of commercial corridors and retail destinations throughout the flood-impacted areas of the northeast, including Red Hook, the Beach 116th Street corridor, and Asbury Park. The team included physical design proposals to enhance commercial resiliency from the individual business to neighborhood scale, and outlined programs to support capacity-building and technical assistance for businesses.
HR&A is proud to support this important work, and continue our work to support the Sandy-affected region’s recovery and path to future resilience. Read more about these exciting projects in Crain’s and the Wall Street Journal.