Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a federal grant of $1,687,002.30 to help improve infrastructure at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in the aftermath of the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy. Sandy caused unprecedented levels of damage and destruction across New York City. This award will specifically assist the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) in performing permanent repairs to docks and berths that were damaged during Superstorm Sandy.
“This federal investment will help repair the Sandy-damaged Brooklyn Navy Yard, the lynchpin of the economic renaissance of the Brooklyn waterfront,” said Senator Schumer. “I am pleased to announce over $1.6 million for repairs to the infrastructure at the Navy Yard, which will help retain and attract more jobs.”
“Investing in infrastructure has to be a top priority,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am pleased the Brooklyn Navy Yard has been awarded this FEMA funding to make repairs. These repairs are essential towards keeping this important economic center thriving and helping to grow our local economy.”
“The Brooklyn Navy Yard is an economic engine for our borough and beyond, producing the jobs of today and the innovations of tomorrow. I am pleased that Senators Gillibrand and Schumer have recognized the importance of this industrial park by securing over $1.6 million in federal funding to restore key infrastructure that was damaged by Superstorm Sandy,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. “This is not only a commitment to Brooklyn’s comeback from this natural disaster, but a commitment to its future as part of our commercial and industrial landscape.”
“Our ability to quickly recover from the devastating impact of Superstorm Sandy was only possible because of the support we have had from our elected officials, and our partnership with the public sector. These funds will help us improve our infrastructure so that an even more resilient Navy Yard can house businesses with good paying jobs,” said David Ehrenberg, President and CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation.
As one of the nation’s oldest naval installations, the 300-acre industrial park on the Brooklyn waterfront is now part of the Brooklyn Tech Triangle and home to several diverse industries including art restoration, maritime ship repair, and design and manufacturing of high-end home goods. The FEMA funding will specifically assist with the permanent repairs of Berth 6B at the Brooklyn Navy Yard between Dry-docks #2 and #4 damaged as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.
Funding for Disaster Relief is administered by the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA’s primary purpose comprises of coordinating disaster relief efforts within the United States and its territories.